2020 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet
“If you can find it, Buy it.”
Domaine Michel Niellon has been on roll these last several years, at least since the 2017 vintage. This is a domaine that has turned out some reference point wines over the years and they have hit an absolute home run with the 2020 vintage.
I made an offer back in March and the wines sold out before I even got to the office that morning. My supplier called me the other day and asked If I was interested in any more? I always hate to sound overly excited but said calmly, I’ll take everything!
Those of you that missed these last month are in luck as I can offer the wines at the same great prices - the Clos Truffiere for example is $40 less than the next best price on Wine Searcher. Burghound says “if you can find it, buy it” I’d have to agree.
The Domaine is hitting on all cylinders once again - these are a stunning range of wines that I can’t recommend highly enough. Grab some before they disappear again as it is unlikely there will be another offer.
Compared elsewhere $199 - $299
This too is markedly restrained and only grudgingly reveals its aromas of cool citrus, anise, essence of pear and a pretty range of floral elements. The succulent but decidedly punchy and powerful larger-scaled flavors possess a strikingly gorgeous texture while displaying stunningly good length on the beautifully well-balanced finale. This tightly wound stunner of the Chaumées could use better depth but there is so much underlying material that it is almost certain to progressively improve. If you can find it, buy it.
- Burghound, 94 Sweet Spot Outstanding!
The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées Clos de la Truffière mingles aromas of orange rind and pear with hints of fresh bread, buttered pastry, toasted nuts and dried white flowers in an inviting bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, bright and ample, with fine depth at the core, lively acids and a chalky finish, it's a fine success.
- William Kelley, 94
Compared elsewhere $169 - $240
The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Champs Gain unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, fresh bread, confit citrus and toasted almonds. Medium to full-bodied, bright and chalky, with a charming core of fruit, lively acids and a saline finish, it's a fine effort.
- William Kelley, 92
Compared elsewhere $169 - $299
There is a whiff of the exotic present on the slightly honeyed aromas of white peach, freshly sliced citrus and a floral top note. The succulent, even seductively textured medium-bodied flavors possess both good volume and density that contrasts somewhat with the bone-dry, moderately austere and borderline tannic finale. The Clos de la Maltroie is usually approachable young, but this sneaky long effort is going to require at least some patience. In a word, lovely.
- Burghound, 92
2020 Niellon Chassagne Montrachet 1er Clos St Jean
Compared elsewhere $173 - $225
A notably more restrained nose is both cool and pure with its combination of spiced pear, Granny Smith apples, lemon-lime and petrol aromas. There is impressive mid-palate density to the unusually powerful medium-bodied flavors that also conclude in a lemon-tinged and beautifully persistent finish. If I'm being picky, this bone-dry effort could use a bit more depth, but that should reasonably occur if allowed at least a few years of cellaring.
- Burghound, 93
