Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes

Philippe Colin established his domaine in 2004; he had previously worked alongside his father and brother at the family domaine, Michel Colin-Deleger. (His brother, Bruno, founded his own domaine around the same time.) Domaine Philippe Colin’s holdings stretch approximately 30 acres with vineyards mainly in the Chassagne-Montrachet area but also in Santenay, Puligny- Montrachet and Saint-Aubin. He covers 24 appellations in total through his selections, which are classified as Bourgogne, Village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru. Philippe upholds the philosophy of respecting the vineyards, intervening as little as possible to allow the purest expression of terroir to shine through, as each plot is markedly different. Philippe Colin recently purchased Topiary Estate in Franschhoek, South Africa.

100% chardonnay. Les Chenevottes 65 year old vineyard is located in the middle of the alluvial fan of the Combe de Saint Aubin, beneath Les Vergers and a step away from the Montrachet Grand Cru. Chenève refers to hemp in old French; which means that the rich calcareous clay soils the vines are rooted in are deeper and easier to plough. Handpicked. The alcoholic fermentation starts in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Half way through the fermentation, the juice is sent to barrels for malolactic (25% new, combination of 228L, 450L and 500L). Aged 14 months with periodic batonnage.

Intensely flavored and a bit sweeter than the Vergers but with its acidity not yet in full harmony with its impression of sucrosité.
Finishes with a distinctly rocky, phenolic finish that will require some bottle aging.