Montrachet

A magical name, this grand cru vineyard with its own appellation dates back to the middle ages.  Lying within the Côtes de Beaune, south of the town of Beaune and just up the hillside from the village of Puligny-Montrachet, it straddles the communes of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet.  Interestingly, the parcels on the Chassagne side, planted in an east-west orientation are usually known as Le Montrachet, whilst those on the Puligny side, planted north-south,  are known as Montrachet.   Montrachet is surrounded by four other Grand Cru appellations, which seem to act as courtiers to the Queen at the centre:  Bâtard-Montrachet to the east, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet to the northeast, Chevalier-Montrachet to the west and Criots-Bâtard Montrachet to the south.   Only Chardonnay grapes are grown in the appellation.

The soils of Montrachet, located as it is in the middle of the Mont Rachet slope are quite poor with large amounts of stones and limestone rocks.  Facing southeast the site has excellent drainage and the white rocks reflect light back up to the vines, enabling perfect ripeness.   There are approximately 25 different producers of Montrachet, the largest being the Laguiche family who still sell their grapes to the Drouhin négociant family.  One of the most famous produces is the Domaine de la Romanée Conti who own 0.67 hectares that yield less than 3,000 bottles a year.  Reputedly the most expensive white wine in the world, bottles of this Grand Cru are much prized for their profound flavours of minerals and fruit, their tight structure and very long, complex finish.   These are white wines that age incredibly well.