2022 Jean Marc Pillot Chassagne Montrachet Rouge
““I am convinced that 2022 is a genuinely great vintage in red”
When you hear the words Chassagne Montrachet you might immediately think white wine. Rightfully so, as the majority of wine coming from Chassagne these days is Chardonnay.
This wasn’t always the case. Forty years ago, pinot noir dominated the landscape but chardonnay slowly began to command higher prices and became easier to sell. As a result, many growers decided to pull out their pinot noir vines and replace them with chardonnay.
In the early 2000’s, I remember buying parcels of Ramonet and being forced to take a couple of cases of the rouge. It was the only way the supplier was going to be able to sell the wine. It’s funny to think, nobody wanted Chassagne Rouge! For the most part, the wines were thin, green, tannic and under ripe. They were almost undrinkable; I know…I found myself drinking (trying) a number of these when they wouldn’t sell.
How things have changed!! In the last 20 years, Chassagne Montrachet Rouge is turning into a total winner thanks to global warming. Warmer temperatures are allowing the pinot noir growing in Chassagne to achieve greater maturity on a much more consistent basis, and it’s changing everyone's perception about the wines.
Turns out, now I am ASKING for the Chassagne Rouge. Not only are they great wines they offer tremendous value!
I can’t say enough good things about Jean Marc Pillot’s 2022’s - as good as the whites are, the red wines in this vintage are the star. His son Antonin is taking on more of the day to day operations and he is the person I tasted with on my most recent vintage. I know the Domaine is most recognized for its white wines but those of you looking for
VinsRare (VR) Note: This is one of the sleepers in the lineup. Medium bodied, sleek, great balance. Really easy to drink.
Exuberantly fresh aromas include those of various red berries, pepper and earth. The rich, generously proportioned and delicious medium weight flavors possess a supple palate impression before terminating in a firm and moderately rustic finale. At least some patience suggested.
- Burghound, 88-91
VR NOTE: Pillot owns two-thirds of a hectare of Pinot Noir in Morgeot in the Fairendes - vines planted in 1967. The Morgeot Rouge is a testament to the capacity of the village of Chassagne, and Jean-Marc in particular, to produce red wines of substantial character.
Here the moderately oaky nose is moderately reduced. The delicious and equally fine medium weight flavors are shaped by relatively fine-grained tannins that contribute to the impression of grace and refinement on the balanced and lingering finale. This youthfully austere effort is lovely.
- Burghound, 90-92
VR NOTE: If you really want to try something good, give this one a try. Made from really old vines, this will put a lot of pricier bottles to shame. A perfect example of what is possible from Chassagne Montrachet. This is excellent! Trust me on this one.
Here the nose is aromatically similar to that of the Morgeot but just a bit more elegant and this refinement is also evident on the finer textured middle weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the less powerful but more complex and slightly more structured finale. Lovely and fashioned in an understated style.
- Burghound, 88-91
