Chablis Montée de Tonnerre
Chablis, Burgundy, France
Located on the north bank of the River Serein, the premier cru of Montée de Tonnere is one of the iconic vineyards of Chablis – and arguably the best. Set back slightly from the region’s Grands Crus, its moderate west-exposed slopes are protected from the east winds. This, combined with its base of shallow Kimmeridgian soil, intersected with veins of blue clay – a strikingly similar soil composition to that of its neighbouring Grands Crus – produces Chardonnay wines with the perfect combination of body, fruit and lively minerality.
The name Montée de Tonnere denotes the Roman road that rises up towards the hill of Tonnerre. The wines of this vineyard are typically matured in oak, though pure, linear expressions matured in steel tanks can also be found. For anyone seeking fine, mineral-charged and ageworthy Chardonnays, Montée de Tonnere offers excellent value when compared with the white wines of Beaune to the south.
Particularly noteworthy producers in this premier cru include Domaine Billaud-Simon, Domaine Bernard Defaix, Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin and Domaine Gerard Duplessis.
