Wine Advisor
Michel Niellon, Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2017
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
There are five barrels worth of the 2017 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, a brilliant wine that unwinds in the glass with a complex bouquet of Meyer lemon, dried white flowers, beeswax, pear, toasted nuts and fresh mint. On the palate, it's full-bodied, satiny and strikingly concentrated, with a bright line of succulent acidity, a textural but weightless profile and a long, lingering finish.
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.
