Wine Advisor
Michel Niellon, Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Pale, green-tinged yellow. Pure but subdued aromas of lemon, pear, menthol, wild herbs and crushed stone. Sweet, silky and fine-grained, with white peach and pear flavors showing a captivating light touch. Really spreads out and lingers on the firm-edged finish. This is distinctly more brisk than it appeared to be from barrel a year age and will need at least a few years of patience.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(13.7% alcohol without chaptalization; Niellon added a bit of tartaric acidity to this wine and to the Batard in 2015 as their pHs at harvest were high): Smoky oak dominates the nose. Fat and creamy in the mouth, showing a ripe pineapple flavor; a bit lacking in spine, especially for Chevalier-Montrachet. This plump, thick wine finishes with nutty and smoky nuances and an edge of acidity.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Pale, green-tinged yellow. Pure but subdued aromas of lemon, pear, menthol, wild herbs and crushed stone. Sweet, silky and fine-grained, with white peach and pear flavors showing a captivating light touch. Really spreads out and lingers on the firm-edged finish. This is distinctly more brisk than it appeared to be from barrel a year age and will need at least a few years of patience.
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.
