| Chardonnay was the favourite grape of Charlemagne. He granted land
and Roman cellars in Burgundy to the monks with the stipulation that they
expand plantings of this marvellous vine.
During the Renaissance, the Dukes of Burgundy claimed these vineyards
and cellars for themselves, the best of which are to-day part of the vast
Drouhin family estate.
This superb white wine comes from the estate of the Marquis de Laguiche,
the largest owner of Le Montrachet.
Since 1947, Maison Joseph Drouhin has the entire charge of the estate,
from the cultivation of the vineyards to the vinification of these two
famous wines and their distribution around the world.
The grapes are picked by hand in small crates, then carefully brought
to Joseph Drouhin winery in Beaune. After a slow and gentle pressing, the
juice ferments in 228 litre oak barrels.
The percentage of new oak varies with the vintage, never exceeding 40%,
so that oak never dominates the fruit. The wine stays in barrels for 9
to 10 months.
Chassagne-Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche has a lovely gold green colour.
The nose is elegant, with pear, vanilla and apple as the dominant flavours.
The wine is well balanced and round with a nice fruity finish. Very long
and complex, this is a superb example of a great Chardonnay from Burgundy. |
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