Chassagne-Montrachet

So much of the reverence associated with white Burgundy seems to focus on the wines of Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, with Chassagne-Montrachet somehow parenthetical in the estimation of great white wines, the wines of this appellation deemed neither as refined as those of Puligny nor as rich as those of Meursault.

But this is to do Chassagne a considerable disservice. The 180 hectares of vineyards of this Côte de Beaune appellation, situated between Santenay to the west and Puligny-Montrachet to the east, present to the white Burgundy lover a plethora of rich pickings – typically succulent, floral, nutty Chardonnays of surpassingly good quality and representing extremely good value to boot.

But it’s not all white. South of the village of Chassagne-Montrachet the soil is similar to that found in the Côte de Nuits and is particularly well suited to Pinot Noir. The reds here, red-fruited and seductively scented, are often extremely elegant, if somewhat tannic when young.