2007 Burgundy – Puligny and Chassagne
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Some of the 2008 whites were still fermenting
during my visit
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Puligny and Chassagne are, like a number of
appellations in Burgundy, conjoined twins, linked by
vineyards shared by both communes; in this case, the
Grands Crus of Le Montrachet and
Bâtard-Montrachet straddle the border between
the two. Puligny can boast the totality of a couple
of other “seniors” in
Chevalier-Montrachet and
Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, whilst
Chassagne’s only wholly enclosed Grand Cru
vineyard is the rare Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet
(producing a meagre 550 cases a year, no wonder
it’s rare!).
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Puligny in definitely considered the pick of these
two communes, a reputation that is not entirely fair
in my view. Reasons for its loftier reputation might
stem simply from the fact that the village of Puligny
– closer to Beaune and just off the N74 (the
main road that runs beside the Côte from here
all the way up to Marsannay in the north of the
Côte de Nuits) – is more presentable
having, as it does, a more prosperous air. Chassagne,
on the other hand, is a more workmanlike settlement.
To get to it one has to turn off that main wine road.
What one finds when one arrives is something of
untidy sprawl of houses and cellars, albeit a sprawl
with a great deal of character.
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In terms of the style of wines produced in the two
villages, Puligny could be said to be more
“upright”. The minerality here finds a
focus that gives the wines a masculine and somewhat
aristocratic bearing.
The wines of Chassagne are altogether more
sauvages. The influence of the soils comes
across as a wilder, less precise mineral expression,
yet they lack nothing in complexity and excitement.
I often find the terroir of Chassagne to be more
diverse, more challenging; ultimately more rewarding.
Having said that, I seldom complain when either is in
my glass!
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The Chassagne 1er Cru Les Caillerets from Domaine
Guy Amiot
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Domaine Philippe Chavy
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Like the Michelots, there are a great many Chavys
making wine in this neck of the woods. I like
Philippe's wines the best. They have a precision and
tension that I find deeply exciting.
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Domaine Bernard-Bonin
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This is the estate that was named Michelot
Mère et Fille. Véronique’s
exuberant style of dress is belied by the style of
her wines which exude confidence, precision and
purity. I love them.
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Domaine Guy Amiot
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Can there be a better source of excellent value, fine
quality white wines in Burgundy? I doubt it. A visit
here is an exercise in understanding the soils of the
commune of Chassagne and the influence those soils
have on the finished wine. The Chaumées is new
to this domaine.
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price
IB |
Notes |
Order |
| 2007 |
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées., Guy Amiot, Burgundy, France |
2011-2015 |
12x75cl |
£279.00 |
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| 2007 |
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets., Guy Amiot, Burgundy, France |
2011-2016 |
12x75cl |
£291.00 |
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Show all wines with notes in printable format |
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N.B. Allen Meadows AKA The Burghound has now reviewed
the white wines of the 2006 and I copy below his
opinions of the two Amiot wines we offered last
vintage. We still have limited stock of both. Clients
ordering a case of 2007 Amiot will have the chance to
add a case of 2006 with 10% discount:
2006 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers, Guy
Amiot £252 in bond Drink 2011-16
“(from 70+ year old vines on original
chardonnay plant material – Amiot calls this le
vrai chardonnay or the true chardonnay). A background
touch of wood highlights the notably ripe and very
Chassagne nose of resin, earth and a hint of the
sauvage that combines with the citrus and orchard
fruit aromas before merging into rich, full and
relatively powerful flavors that possess plenty of
punch on the vibrant and sappy finish. Lovely and
really quite forward so this should be accessible
young. 90/100.”
2006 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets,
Guy Amiot £264 in bond Drink 2011-17
“(from two parcels, one of 30 year old vines
and another of 70 year old vines planted on le vrai
chardonnay; raised in 50% new wood). As good as the
Vergers is, this is a clear step up in elegance and
class with a ripe, pure and seductive nose that
features aromas of pear, white flower and subtle if
evident minerality that continues onto the rich, full
and intense flavors that deliver good precision on
the long and refined finish where a discreet touch of
pain grillé also surfaces. 91/100.”
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To go to our offer of 2007 Meursault, click here
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