Overview
An elegant and mineral-driven Premier Cru white Burgundy from the celebrated Caillerets vineyard in Chassagne-Montrachet, the 2023 Domaine Blain-Gagnard showcases the finesse, purity and depth of Chardonnay from the CĂ´te de Beaune. Awarded 92 points by Burghound, this wine combines spiced orchard fruit, delicate floral aromas and impressive mineral definition with a long, beautifully balanced finish.
Vineyard
Les Caillerets is one of the distinguished Premier Cru climats of Chassagne-Montrachet, renowned for producing Chardonnay with remarkable precision, tension and mineral complexity. Located in Burgundy's CĂ´te de Beaune, the vineyard contributes to the refined and expressive character of this wine.
Domaine Blain-Gagnard manages its vineyards with meticulous attention to soil health and fruit quality. Vineyard rows are naturally grassed, with ploughing between the vines, while seasonal work from pruning to harvesting and fruit selection is carried out by hand.
Winemaking
The domaine follows traditional Burgundian winemaking methods, with an emphasis on expressing the identity of each vineyard through careful vinification and ageing. Its white wines are generally matured in French oak barrels for approximately 11 months, with the aim of preserving freshness, tension and mineral purity.
Critic Reviews
92/100 â Allen Meadows, Burghound
âAn array of floral elements ... much more evident minerality on the impressively long and well-balanced finale.â
Drinking recommendation: Allow at least five years of cellaring; drink through 2031 and beyond.
Producer
Domaine Blain-Gagnard is a highly regarded Burgundy estate based in Chassagne-Montrachet, established in 1980 following the marriage of Jean-Marc Blain and Claudine Gagnard. The domaine brings together the winemaking heritage of two longstanding Burgundian families, with roots in the region extending back several centuries.
The family cultivates approximately eight hectares of vineyards across Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay and Pommard. Its holdings include prestigious Grand Cru vineyards such as Bâtard-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet and Le Montrachet, alongside an exceptional collection of Premier Cru sites including Les Caillerets, La Boudriotte, Clos Saint-Jean, Morgeot, Les Champans and Les Pitures.
The domaine combines traditional viticulture with a meticulous approach to winemaking, seeking to produce wines of precision, complexity and elegance. Careful vineyard work, hand harvesting and thoughtful oak maturation allow each wine to express the distinctive character of its terroir.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2023
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Producer: Domaine Blain-Gagnard
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Country: France
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Region: Burgundy, CĂ´te de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet, Les Caillerets
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Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru AOC
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Classification: Premier Cru
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Grape Variety: Chardonnay
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Wine Style: Still White Wine
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Sweetness: Dry
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Harvest: Hand harvested
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Maturation: French oak barrels; approximately 11 months (general domaine practice)
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Drinking Window: 2028â2031+
