Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet produce the world’s finest dry white wines. In production for nearly two thousand years, the vineyards surrounding these villages produce wines of different characters — Puligny a bit more serious, Chassagne a bit friendlier.
Today’s suggestion comes from Roger Belland, a fifth generation Burgundian winemaker. Belland’s style is intensity without harshness – his wines of both colors are welcoming and smooth. But given time they often surprise with their complexity. Today we’re suggesting Belland’s flagship wine: the monopole Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru “Clos Pitois” blanc from 2019.
First planted in 1421, the “Clos Pitois” is a monopole of the Belland family. Owning an entire vineyard is rare in Burgundy, and the Bellands treat it like a member of the family. Located in the clay-rich “Morgeot” sector of the appellation, the 2019 blanc is classic Chassagne — rich, mouthfilling, and gorgeous, pulsating with lively golden fruit.
As with the best of Belland’s whites, this combines an intense richness with linear focus. There is more minerality and stoniness mixed in with the fruit here, and the nose includes floral notes of white peach flower. This white wine is focused and serious, and while approachable young, should amply reward cellaring.
Jasper Morris MW agreed, awarding 93 points and finding “really significant weight to this, and in balance,” concluding “substantial and very long.” Burghound called it “outstanding,” finding “excellent volume to the dense and solidly powerful flavors that exhibit very good length on the bitter lemon-inflected finale.” Whether enjoyed young or old, this wine is unlikely to disappoint.
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Belland Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru
“Clos Pitois” blanc 2019
bottle price: $88