Chassagne Montrachet, La Grande Montagne, 1er Cru, 2011
There is no new oak ageing for La Grande Montagne, whilst the rest of the Premiers Crus are aged in 15–20% new oak. Crushed stone and salt aromas; the acidity is lower than in 2010 but this is very fresh nonetheless and in fact this allows the salty limestone terroir to come through strongly. Lively, vivid and full of interest. There is a great balance between savoury stone and juicy citrus fruit. Excellent. From a tiny 0.26-hectare plot of vines in a little known chalk clay vineyard next to La Romanée; one of the highest vineyards in Chassagne.
critic reviews
The 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet La Grand Montagne 1er Cru has an impressive, mineral-driven bouquet, not powerful but certainly precise and ever so pretty with yellow plum and jasmine scents emerging with time. The palate displays lovely weight in the mouth, commendable acidity with a patisserie-tinged, creamy, and very seductive finish. Very fine, but I would be tempted to drink this now rather than later. Tasted blind at Philippe's Xmas lunch.