The wine Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey's Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes 2020 is a white wine made from the Chardonnay grape variety grown in Chassagne-Montrachet, located in Côte de Beaune. True to its name, it is made from old vines, and the winemaking process intentionally minimizes intervention.
The whole clusters are pressed directly without prior crushing and fermented with natural yeast in 350-liter barrels (30% of which are new). The wine is then aged on its lees for 15 to 20 months, though no bâtonnage (stirring to reintegrate the lees into the wine for added body) is performed. Bottling is carried out without fining or filtration. As a result, the wine is characterized not by opulence, but by a distinct tension and sharpness derived from the limestone-rich soil.
As for the vintage, 2020 brought a dry, hot summer to Burgundy. Following a wonderful spring, the growing season began early, and the grapes were harvested in August, one of the earliest harvests on record. Winter rains, which had restored the groundwater level beforehand, played a crucial role. The fruit had an exceptionally pure flavor, resulting in a white wine that is elegant rather than heavy.
This wine is best enjoyed by 2040.
Robert Parker (91)
The 2019 Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes unwinds in the glass with scents of smoky pears and pear honey, framed by a subtle touch of reduction. Medium to full-bodied, round and fleshy, with a lively spine of acidity, it concludes with a mouthwateringly saline finish.
Jasper Morris (92)
Puligny side. Clear pale lemon colour. The nose is typically refined but not too reductive. Stylish, lemony, long, pure fresh apple, no more than medium bodied, but more in persistence and charm.
BOW (8)
