Wine Advisor
Michel Niellon, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 2014
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright, green-tinged pale yellow. Reticent aromas of lime, kiwi, white pepper and spicy oak show a medicinal reserve today. Tactile, dusty and very dry; shows excellent framing acidity and energy but seems less fruity than usual for this cuvée. Dense and seamless in the middle, then quite dry and a bit youthfully austere on the long back end.
About the Producer
One of the figureheads of the appellation, Domaine Michel Niellon keeps on proving vintage after vintage that Chassagne is one of the greatest Chardonnay terroirs in Burgundy. The domaine started commercially in the 1960s and 3 generations now take care of the pro[erty: grandson Mathieu and son-in-law Michel Coutuox under the mentorship of 70-year old Michel Niellon. The style of the estate emphasizes the richness and the concentration which is the signature of Chassagne’s terroir yet preserving the intense mineralogy that defines all great Burgundies. Old vines (up yo 80 years in Clos truffière), low yields and attention to detail are the keys to success here and the winemaking only aims at preserving the potential acquired in the vineyard: new oak is limited to 20% max, the maturing is limited to 12 months and the results are expressive wines combining rich fruity aromas and intense mineral notes with beautiful overall balance.
