Wines Chassagne-Montrachet Benjamin Leroux - Abbaye de Morgeot - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Benjamin Leroux's Chassagne-Montrachet 'Cuvée Abbaye de Morgeot' Premier Cru 2020 is a striking expression of Chardonnay from one of Burgundy’s most emblematic terroirs. The 2020 vintage offers ripe yet crystalline fruit, benefitting from a warm but balanced growing season that allowed for full maturity while maintaining a line of acidity crucial to the region’s finest whites. The Morgeot vineyard is renowned for its clay-limestone soils which impart both concentration and minerality, and Benjamin Leroux’s meticulous approach to vinification—respecting both tradition and vineyard identity—brings forward a wine of refined complexity. Ageing in fine-grained French oak, with a restrained use of new barrels, enhances structure and gives subtle notes of hazelnut and toasted brioche without overwhelming the wine’s vivid citrus, white orchard fruit and floral nuances.

Chassagne-Montrachet hails from the Côte de Beaune, a cornerstone of Burgundy famous for its world-class whites. The region’s semi-continental climate—cool winters, warm summers with notable diurnal variation—encourages slow, optimal ripening of Chardonnay. The rich history of abbeys, such as Morgeot, underlines a deep-rooted vinous heritage where monastic influence helped shape vineyard organisation and methods still valued today. The soils, a patchwork of marls and limestone, are particularly expressive, imparting a unique tension and mineral backbone to the wines.

This style pairs beautifully with refined cuisine. Classic matches include roasted langoustines, seared scallops, or delicate white fish in beurre blanc, all of which resonate with the wine’s graceful texture and vibrant acidity. Poultry in a creamy morel sauce or a simple poulet de Bresse highlight its savoury depth. For a more local touch, try it alongside Burgundy’s famed jambon persillé, or even mild, creamy cheeses such as Chaource or Brillat-Savarin.

For optimal pleasure, serve this wine at around 11-13°C. Decanting for 30 minutes will help the wine express its aromatic palette fully, especially in its youth. This Chassagne-Montrachet will reward a few years of cellaring, gradually revealing layers of complexity and nuance.