Simon Colin
It's rare that a relatively new producer generates this kind of word-of-mouth — but after this year's La Paulée in New York, I fielded a number of calls from people inquiring about Simon Colin. Several told me his wines were among the best in the room!
Needless to say, there are a lot of Colins in Chassagne-Montrachet. Simon is the son of Philippe Colin, who is himself the son of Michel Colin-Déleger — and if that isn't enough, Michel is also the cousin of Marc Colin. It's a family tree that requires a scorecard, but any way you slice it, the Colin family holds an enviable set of Chassagne's best vineyards.
My experience with the wines is somewhat limited to the 2022s I brought in last year. They were expressive, with great volume and intensity, yet showing remarkable depth and precision at the same time. I have not yet tasted the 2023s myself, but judging by what people were telling me at La Paulée, Simon has crafted something special. And having tasted a number of 2024s while I was in France, I’m sure these display a touch more acidity showing excellent freshness and energy, a sentiment echoed by both Neal Martin and Jasper Morris with their reviews. Not a whole lot of quantity here. These are wines not to be missed!
The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet La Maltroye ler Cru is more expressive on the nose compared to the Les Chenevottes. It is flinty and slightly fumé in style, with lifted mineralité and plenty of energy here. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly more honeyed texture ample extract here with grippier tannins on the finish. Give this time because this is a serious Chassagne, but the Les Vergers will be flattering in its youth.
- Vinous/Neal Martin, 92-94
The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Vergers ler Cru has a clean, precise nose featuring freshly baked popcorn and citrus fruit notes. It's quite charming, with hints of apricot in the background. The palate is well defined with a silver bead of acidity, yellow plum and hints of vanilla pod but it has wonderful tension and quite a persistent finish. This vineyard performed well in 2023 and Colin is quickly becoming one of its best exponents.
- Vinous/Neal Martin, 92-94
The 2024 Bourgogne Chardonnay, which sees around 20% new oak in 228 and 350-litre barrels, has a refined bouquet with orchard fruit and light creamy scents. The palate is fresh and crisp, good tension for a regional white with a brisk, quite steely finish that has the sapidity to tempt you back for more.
- Neal Martin, 89-91
More the younger vines here, a mix from Clos St-Abdon and other plots. Fresh pure lemon in colour. More graceful bouquet than the St-Aubin. Clean pure white fruit, an attractive thread of acidity, and good length. Discretion and clarity. Drink from 2028-2033. Tasted Oct 2025.
- Jasper Morris, 90-93
The 2024 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Vergers ler Cru has a refined and understated bouquet, the 25% new oak seamlessly integrated, definitely cut in a more elegant style. The palate is very well balanced with superb tension, racy and full of energy, dovetailing into a Puligny-like mineral. driven finish. Superb.
- Vinous Media, 93-95
The 2024 Chassagne-Montrachet La Maltroye ler Cru has another beautifully defined bouquet that reminds me of, say, Alex N quintessential Chassagne with delineation and refinement. The palate is very well balanced with tangible weight and tension, orange rind and walnut notes emerging towards the persistent finish. Seriously good.
- Neil Martin, 93-95
