Domaine Sylvain Morey’s 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc is a classic example of fine Burgundy Chardonnay. This wine, produced from meticulously selected Chardonnay grapes, reveals an elegant pale gold hue in the glass. The 2017 vintage was marked by balanced ripeness and freshness, delivering a wine with precision and finesse. The terroir of Chassagne-Montrachet, lying in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, is world-renowned for its limestone-rich soils mixed with clay, providing the ideal environment for Chardonnay vines to express complexity and minerality. Gentle vinification, usually including fermentation in oak barrels and careful bâtonnage, lends structure and subtle toasty notes without overshadowing the grape’s natural purity.
The Côte de Beaune itself is celebrated as the cradle of outstanding white Burgundy. The climate here is continental, with warm days and cool nights during the growing season that help Chardonnay grapes retain acidity and develop nuanced flavours. The combination of ancient soils, a favourable slope, and centuries of winemaking expertise enables the creation of layered, expressive wines. Chassagne-Montrachet, in particular, is famed for whites that marry mineral tension with ample texture, often showing aromas of white flowers, citrus, ripe orchard fruit and hints of hazelnut.
This 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet pairs beautifully with refined dishes. Classic Burgundian pairings such as poultry in a creamy morel mushroom sauce, or escargots with garlic butter, would highlight the wine’s richness and minerality. It would also be excellent with fresh shellfish like scallops or lobster, or simply prepared roasted turbot. For vegetarian options, try it with asparagus risotto or a Gruyère soufflé.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine chilled but not too cold, ideally between 12 and 14°C. Decanting may be beneficial, allowing the wine to reveal its full aromatic complexity, especially as it continues to develop gracefully over the coming years.
