Wines Chassagne-Montrachet Benoit Ente - Les Houillères - 2021

Viniou Reviews

Benoit Ente’s Chassagne-Montrachet "Les Houillères" 2021 is a superb expression of the Côte de Beaune's white winemaking finesse, epitomising the noble purity of Chardonnay from this illustrious appellation. The 2021 vintage was marked by a challenging growing season, with spring frosts followed by a cool summer, resulting in intense, concentrated fruit with lively acidity. “Les Houillères” is a particular climat within Chassagne-Montrachet, known for its deep, well-draining soils of clay and limestone, which impart both minerality and richness to the finished wine. Benoit Ente, acclaimed for his meticulous viticulture and restrained use of oak, highlights here the aromatic precision and silky texture that distinguish his style. Fermentation generally takes place in French oak barrels, with a modest proportion of new wood, allowing the wine's floral, citrus and stone fruit notes to shine, underlined by a chiselled mineral backbone and touch of hazelnut.

The Côte de Beaune, and Chassagne-Montrachet in particular, forms the southern heart of Burgundy’s famed “Golden Slope.” The region enjoys a temperate continental climate, moderated by the gentle slope of the vineyards and their east to southeast exposure, ensuring optimal sunlight. The terroir, rich in white limestone and marl, is particularly suited to Chardonnay, yielding wines renowned for their complexity, longevity, and remarkable balance. Chassagne-Montrachet shares with neighbouring Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault a long and storied tradition of crafting some of the world’s most distinguished white wines, prized for their expressiveness and depth.

To highlight the elegance and substance of this Chassagne-Montrachet, pair it with delicately flavoured dishes such as pan-seared scallops, lobster with a beurre blanc, or classic poached chicken in a creamy morel sauce. Regional specialties like escargots à la bourguignonne or roasted Bresse chicken also form harmonious matches, as do aged Comté or a light truffled brie.

For optimal tasting, serve this wine well-chilled but not cold, ideally between 11-13°C. Decanting for 30 minutes will help reveal its aromatic complexity, especially when opened young. This magnum format promises graceful ageing, rewarding patience with added depth and nuance.