Domaine Ramonet : Chassagne-Montrachet Village 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chassagne-Montrachet Village 2021 from Domaine Ramonet

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale to medium yellow hue, typical of white wines from Burgundy made from Chardonnay.

Nose

The bouquet reveals aromatic complexity marked by white-fleshed fruits, notes of ripe citrus, and white flowers. Subtle mineral nuances evoke the limestone typical of the Chassagne-Montrachet terroir. On opening, a mentholated or gunflint-like character may appear, gradually fading with aeration to reveal a fuller aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a full, refined structure. Flavors of citrus and stone fruits—especially peach and apricot—are complemented by touches of honey suggesting the subtle influence of oak aging. Bright acidity brings freshness and balance, while the texture is rich and generous yet remains precise and well-defined. The finish lingers elegantly, combining the terroir’s minerality with fruity and honeyed notes.

Food and wine pairings

This Chassagne-Montrachet Village 2021 is an ideal match for roasted poultry, notably chicken and turkey. It also pairs beautifully with grilled or steamed white fish, especially when prepared with lemon-based sauces. Seafood, such as grilled langoustines or lobster, makes an excellent pairing. Cream- or butter-based dishes, as well as roasted white asparagus, also harmonize well with this wine.

Serving and cellaring

The Chassagne-Montrachet Village 2021 can be enjoyed now while also offering the potential to evolve in the cellar over several years. Aeration or decanting helps fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

A Chassagne-Montrachet Village combining Burgundian minerality and concentration

The estate

Founded in the late 1920s by Pierre Ramonet, Domaine Ramonet has established itself as an emblematic benchmark of Chassagne-Montrachet in Burgundy. Based at 4 place des noyers in Chassagne-Montrachet, the estate now spans around 17 hectares across 24 distinct appellations in the Côte de Beaune. Since 2014, Jean-Claude Ramonet has led the property, carrying on the family legacy with the involvement of the fourth generation. The estate remains entirely family-run and independent, renowned for its exceptional white wines, which represent 70% of production, as well as its remarkable red wines. The house philosophy favors an authentic expression of terroirs through sustainable viticulture and traditional, low-intervention winemaking.

The vineyard

The Chassagne-Montrachet Village comes from parcels located in the commune of Chassagne-Montrachet, in the heart of the Côte de Beaune. The vines grow on limestone-rich soils, with east and southeast exposures providing optimal sunshine. These geological and climatic conditions promote the slow ripening of Chardonnay, developing the minerality and complexity that define the estate’s wines. Vineyard management favors sustainable practices aligned with organic and biodynamic principles, with hand harvesting and rigorous yield control to concentrate quality in the grapes.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy is recognized as balanced and of fine quality. The year began with a winter marked by an unusually severe frost episode affecting the French vineyard. A milder spring allowed flowering at the end of May, followed by particularly rainy months in June and July. Weather instability was observed from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these contrasting conditions, the 2021 vintage produced wines with beautiful concentration and a distinct character.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chassagne-Montrachet Village 2021 are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Winemaking begins with gentle pressing, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with minimal settling to retain natural solids that contribute to the wine’s texture and complexity. After alcoholic fermentation, the wines are transferred to French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. For this village-level wine, the use of new oak is kept measured to preserve the expression of fruit and terroir. Aging lasts between 12 and 18 months, allowing the wine to develop structure and complexity. Bottling is carried out without excessive filtration, thereby preserving the wine’s natural integrity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay