2020 Chablis, Montmains, 1er Cru, Domaine Besson, Burgundy

Description

At 5.25 hectares, this is the Besson family’s biggest holding, so something of a calling card. The soil here is replete with limestone, giving a wine of classical proportions with plenty of nervy citrus fruit, iodine and crushed oyster shell. Made mostly in tank with 8% oak, this is intensely mineral with a latent power that should ensure a bright future.

Drink 2024 - 2036

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour White

Sweetness Dry

Vintage 2020

Maturity Ready - youthful

Grape List Chardonnay

Body Full Bodied

Producer Domaine Besson

Critics reviews

Jancis Robinson MW 16.5+/20

At 5.25 hectares, this is the Besson family’s biggest holding, so something of a calling card. Made mostly in tank with 8% oak (used, 600-litre).Broader than the Vaillons – but very well chiselled. Lots of green fruit flavours and texture. I’d wait a while before tackling this – let it settle down a bit.Drink 2024 - 2030jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com (September 2023)

Drink 2024 - 2030

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Sep 2023)

Anna Lee C. Iijima 93/100

Cooling, zesty strikes of gooseberry and white peach introduce this slim, mineral-focused Chardonnay. Fresh on its feet and delightfully chalky on the finish, it's a true-to-type expression of Montmains that should improve through 2030 and hold further.Anna Lee C. Iijima, WineEnthusiast.com (December 2021)

Drink 2024 - 2030

Anna Lee C. Iijima, WineEnthusiast.com (Dec 2021)

About this wine

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or. Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

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