Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Vergers" 2023

91 BH

Notes:

Smoky aromas of apple, pear, petrol and rosemary oil give way to gorgeously textured, caressing and decidedly punchy medium-bodied flavors that possess fine mid-palate density, all wrapped in a linger, balanced and bitter zest-inflected finish. Again, this could use better depth so at least a few years of patience should be helpful. Burghound 91 Outstanding!

Producer: Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard is a family estate based in Chassagne-Montrachet, created in 1985 following the marriage of Richard Fontaine and Laurence Gagnard. The domaine brought together vineyards from two established Chassagne families and today farms roughly 12 hectares, with holdings extending from regional wines through an unusually broad collection of Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Crus and several Grand Crus. Richard and Laurence’s daughter Céline Fontaine joined the domaine in 2007 and now oversees the estate with her family. The holdings include Premier Crus such as Les Caillerets, La Maltroie, La Boudriotte, Morgeot, Clos Saint-Jean and Les Vergers, along with parcels in Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Montrachet. The domaine’s white-wine production remains traditional, centered on Chardonnay, barrel fermentation and élevage, with the proportion of new oak adjusted according to the appellation.
Vineyard: Les Vergers lies in the northern sector of Chassagne-Montrachet, close to the boundary with Saint-Aubin and directly below the old quarries of Chassagne. The Premier Cru occupies the middle portion of the slope, where the soils are notably stony and limestone-influenced. Fontaine-Gagnard owns approximately 0.71 hectare in Les Vergers, with the parcel planted in 1972. This gives the domaine a mature-vine source of Chardonnay now more than 50 years old. Les Vergers is known for producing white Chassagne with naturally firm acidity and tension, and its position on the northern side of the appellation gives it a different profile from the broader, richer Premier Crus farther south around Morgeot.
Winemaking: The 2023 Les Vergers is 100% Chardonnay and follows Fontaine-Gagnard’s traditional approach to white Burgundy. The fruit is harvested by hand, and the domaine ferments and raises its white wines in oak barrels. Élevage lasts approximately 12 months in barrel before the wine is prepared for bottling. Fontaine-Gagnard varies the percentage of new oak according to the level and character of each wine, generally using between 0% and 30% new barrels across the range rather than applying the same élevage to every cuvée. This relatively restrained use of new oak is particularly appropriate for Les Vergers, where the mature vines, stony soils and naturally fresh profile of the vineyard provide the foundation of the wine.
Technical Details: 100% Chardonnay. Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. Les Vergers vineyard. Fontaine-Gagnard’s parcel measures approximately 0.71 hectare, with vines planted in 1972. Hand harvested and raised in oak barrels for approximately 12 months. The bottle is 13.5% alcohol.
Food Pairing: Les Vergers has the structure and natural acidity to work with both seafood and richer poultry preparations. Seared scallops, lobster, roasted turbot, Dover sole or halibut would all be excellent choices. It would also pair well with roast chicken, particularly with mushrooms or a light cream sauce, veal, or dishes incorporating morels. Aged Comté or Gruyère would work well as the wine develops additional complexity with bottle age.

Vins Rare

Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Vergers" 2023

Name: Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Vergers" 2023
Brand: Vins Rare
SKU: 10126
Price: 129.00 USD
Availability: InStock