Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot 1er cru 2023 Jean-Claude Ramonet

Tasting Note Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot 1er cru 2023

It offers aromas of white peach and lemon pith, with a chalky, almost flinty edge emerging behind the fruit notes. On the palate, it feels full-bodied rather than smooth; contact with the lees lends it a sense of weight in the mid-palate, while lightly toasted oak notes blend harmoniously beneath. Acidity drives the finish, which is salty and long-lasting. Immediately after opening, the winery's characteristic menthol aroma may be present, but it dissipates upon contact with air. Allow it sufficient time to breathe.

Grape Varieties

The wine is 100% Chardonnay  and has an essentially neutral character, and this is the core of Chassagne-Montrachet. The limestone character is expressed more through a chalky texture than through fruit aromas. Morgeot adds breadth and intensity, rather than the delicacy of the Puligny style.

Cellaring Potential

Best enjoyed between 2026 and 2038. This wine was bottled in March 2025 and is still firm. Acidity and the concentration derived from the lees are driving the aging process. Serve at 11-13°C; Open the bottle one hour before serving. 

About Jean-Claude Ramonet

Ramonet is located in Chassagne-Montrachet, owns vineyards in more than 20 appellations, and matures four different Grand Crus in its cellar. These include Montrachet, acquired in 1978, as well as Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. 

The family has tended these vineyards for three generations, and the fourth generation has already joined the team. With the addition of Bouzeron in 2011, the domaine expanded its territory beyond Côte de Beaune to include Côte Chalonnaise.

Almost no settling of the must before fermentation, and the proportion of new oak barrels is limited to about one-third. Thanks to this combination, Jean-Claude Ramonet's white wine has a rich body and has earned a reputation for being difficult to drink when young.

While Chardonnay forms the core of the product lineup, the Chassagne-Montrachet red wines produced from Clos de la Boudriotte and Clos St-Jean receive far less attention than they deserve. Currently, all wines are released under a single label: Jean-Claude Ramonet.

Terroir & Climate

Morgeot is sits on deep brown limestone and silt, where depth is key. The topsoil is not thin and stony. Because moisture is well retained and the vines grow steadily, the wine develops a rich body. Thanks to its southeast-facing orientation, the vines receive morning sun while maintaining mild afternoon temperatures, which helps preserve acidity. Vines with an average age of 47 years add concentrated flavors to the wine.

Winemaking

Ramonet omits the clarification process. The grape juice is cooled to 12°C and immediately transferred to oak barrels along with the solids, ensuring maximum contact between the wine and the lees, the source of its rich, full-bodied texture. Aging takes place in 450-liter oak barrels rather than standard barriques, about one-third of which are new. There is no racking or bâtonnage. With minimal oxygen exposure and subtle oak notes, the mineral character stands out more prominently. This also explains why the wine may initially seem closed.

Food Pairing

When pairing this wine, body and saltiness are key. It pairs well with Bresse chicken in a creamy sauce because the wine has enough body to handle those flavors. Butter-poached turbot, grilled sole, or lobster are also excellent choices. Mushroom risotto complements the lees-driven texture, and a matured Comté further enhances the wine's nutty flavors.