Chardonnay
75cl * Sustainable * 13.5% ABV * Burgundy, France
Chassagne-Montrachet lies to the south of Puligny-Montrachet, its much smaller neighbour. 60% of the appellation is planted with Chardonnay as it's more profitable -yields are higher and the wines command a much higher price. Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the most dynamic villages in Burgundy with lots of exciting young growers really pushing the boundaries of quality. Stylistically the white wines tend to mix the richness of Meursault with the vibrancy of Puligny for a great combination.
Dating back to 1809, when Auguste Moreau dug a cellar and farmed his few hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, the Moreau family vineyard has grown from strength to strength and is now a name synonymous with the Chassagne-Montrachet area.
In the 1960s Bernard Moreau inherited the estate and the name changed to its current title to reflect that. Since the 1990s Bernard's sons Alex and Benoit, who between them cut their wine-making teeth as far afield as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, have helped run the estate with Alex focussing on the cellar and winemaking and Benoit in charge of the vineyards.
Fermented in 10%-30% new French oak barrels, using naturally occurring yeast, it's then aged in 10%-30% new French oak for 14-15 months, giving it the wonderful spicy, nutty sandalwood aromas and spicy wood and vanilla profile on the palate that we loved so much when we tried it.
Ideal to drink now and until 2043.