A refined and tightly focused expression of Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru, Clos Maltroye shows the precision and elegance characteristic of Jean-Noël Gagnard’s winemaking. Once planted to Pinot Noir, the vineyard was carefully replanted with Chardonnay in 1990 after detailed study confirmed its limestone-rich soils were ideally suited to the variety. The 2018 vintage reveals a clear, pale lemon color with an elegant, lightly floral and mineral-accented nose. On the palate, it is taut and structured, with pure fruit, fine balance, and impressive length—a classic expression of the terroir’s finesse and restraint.

Inside Burgundy | IB 90
Published: Dec, 2019

Clear pure light lemon colour. The nose is rather elegant with its light classy fruit, not metallic but strict, this is quite tight on the palate too, yet with good length. 

Winemaker

This excellent example of a white Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru was classified as a "Première Cuvée" in 1855. Formerly planted with Pinot Noir, this plot was grubbed up in January 1988 and replanted with Chardonnay in 1990. This change illustrates Chassagne-Montrachet's shift towards white wines dating from the 1980s in the light of the strong worldwide demand for Chardonnay-based wines. Not all the plots in Chassagne-Montrachet are suited to this grape variety, however, and every change must be made in conformity with the appellation laws (to ensure quality) and in full respect of the terroir and its uniqueness. In this vineyard, Chardonnay was only planted after careful consideration, producing its first vintage of white wine in 1992.