In the very south of the Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet is one of
the triumvirate in the 'golden triangle' of white Burgundy (with
Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault). The broad hillside that it shares
with Puligny brings out an extraordinary expression of both Pinot Noir
and Chardonnay. In Chassagne, they are grown side by side, such is the
complexity of the terroir. The zone includes some plots in the neighboring
village of Remigny which shares the same soil conditions. Extensive marble
quarries which form a cliff face in the vineyards, are the source of the
stone that went into the building of the Trocadero in Paris and more recently
the Louvre Pyramid.
Chassagne-Montrachet
White Chassagne Montrachet can be one of the world's great Chardonnays. At its best it is glittering gold with hints of green. Aromas of honeysuckle and hazelnut with a citrus acidity in youth. Deep, smokey gun-flint minerality. Notes of honey and fleshy pear. Luscious attack, round and decadent with the minerality carrying the mid-palate through to a long finish.
The opulence and power of the whites work well with delicate white meats such as poultry or veal. Fish, either in well-spiced couscous or in curries or stir-fries, are also well-suited. Salmon, in itself highly aromatic, works particularly well. The premiers crus will complement crayfish, lobster, or even foie gras.
Red Chassagne Montrachet (sadly more and more rare in the shadow of white Chassagne's popularity) can have one of the most beautiful and brilliant robes of all of the Cote de Beaune. The nose is cherry and nutty cherry pit with spicy notes and Pinot savagery with age. There can be great substance to a Chassagne red, a depth that can be overlooked because of the prettiness of the fruit. Young tannins can be austere, or at least used to be. The modern Chassagne red tends to be more fruit forward and open. At altitudes between 220 and 325 meters, the succession of rocks from the top down is first rauracien then callovien and finally argovien. The soil of the various climats range from pebbly limestone, through marls, to sandy soils with a Jurassic basis.
Chassagne reds can be powerful, despite the first impression of freshness and fruit. This makes it a good match with quality cuts of meat such as grilled or roast lamb, grilled pork and spicy meat dishes in general. The premier crus can go to game birds.
Produced in the communes of Chassagne-Montrachet and Remigny, the appellation Chassagne-Montrachet includes 55 premiers crus. The following climats are classified premier cru:
- Abbaye de Morgeot
- Blanchot dessus
- Bois de Chassagne
- Cailleret
- Champs Jendreau
- Chassagne
- Chassagne du Clos Saint-Jean
- Clos Chareau
- Clos Pitois
- Clos Saint-Jean
- Dent de Chien
- En Cailleret
- En Remilly
- En Virondot
- Ez Crets
- Ez Crottes
- Francemont
- Guerchère
- La Boudriotte
- La Cardeuse
- La Chapelle
- La Grande Borne
- La Grande Montagne
- La Maltroie
- La Romanée
- La Roquemaure
- Les Baudines
- Les Boirettes
- Les Bondues
- Les Brussonnes
- Les Champs gain
- Les Chaumées
- Les Chaumes
- Les Chenevottes
- Les Combards
- Les Commes
- Les Embazées
- Les Fairendes
- Les Grandes Ruchottes
- Les Grands Clos
- Les Macherelles
- Les Murées
- Les Pasquelles
- Les Petites Fairendes
- Les Petits Clos
- Les Places
- Les Rebichets
- Les Vergers
- Morgeot
- Petingeret
- Tête du Clos
- Tonton Marcel
- Vide Bourse
- Vigne Blanche
- Vigne Derrière
The following climats are village wines from a single vineyard known as a lieu-dit:
- Blanchot Dessous
- Bouchon de Corvée
- Champ Derrière
- Champs de Morjot
- Clos Bernot
- Dessous les Mues
- En Journoblot
- En l'Ormeau
- En Pimont
- Fontaine Sot
- La Bergerie
- La Canière
- La Canotte
- La Goujonne
- La Platière
- La Têtière
- Le Clos Reland
- Le Concis du Champs
- Le Parterre
- Le Poirier du Clos
- Les Battaudes
- Les Benoites
- Les Beuttes
- Les Chambres
- Les Charnières
- Les Chaumes
- Les Chênes
- Les Encégnières
- Les Essarts
- Les Grandes Terres
- Les Houillères
- Les Lombardes
- Les Masures
- Les Meix Goudard
- Les Morichots
- Les Mouchottes
- Les Perclos
- Les Pierres
- Les Plantes Momières
- Les Voillenots Dessous
- Plante du Gaie
- Plante Saint Aubin
- Pot Bois
- Puits Merdreaux
- Sur Matronge
- Voillenot Dessous
The commune of Chassagne-Montrachet also produces 3 grands crus:
- Le Montrachet
- Batard-Montrachet
- Criots-Batard-Montrachet