Domaine du Cellier Aux Moines Les Chaumées Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2023

Our favorite historic monastic winery out of Burgundy is back with an absolutely thrilling, mineral-drenched, Premier Cru White Burgundy out of the famous Chassagne-Montrachet appellation. 96 points, incredibly textural, and fewer than five cases to go ‘round... you know exactly what you need to do!

Founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, back in 1130, Domaine du Cellier aux Moines is an incredible taste of both history and winemaking mastery. As one of Burgundy’s oldest monastic vineyards, the name itself translates to “The Monks’ Cellar,” and the estate sits on a landmark Givry Premier Cru vineyard and even houses the original cellar built by the founding monks.

Since Philippe and Catherine Pascal acquired the estate in 2004, they’ve launched an extensive renovation of the historic buildings and vineyards, bringing them back up to snuff and executing major improvements. Some of the widely applauded changes include the construction of a modern gravity-fed winery, the implementation of biodynamic farming, and an expansion of the estate’s vineyard holdings to include plots in top Côte de Beaune appellations like Puligny-Montrachet, Santenay, and, of course, Chassagne-Montrachet.

This 2023 hails from Chassagne-Montrachet’s much-admired Premier Cru vineyard of Les Chaumées, grown near the top of the slope just beneath an ancient limestone quarry. You know what that means... a mineral-wrapped, tingly, stony, flinty, slightly salty Chardonnay with ample structure, ageability, and acidity. There’s strong fruit there, too – peach and Meyer lemon and Bosc pear – with some notes of wild white flowers, clover honey, and a touch of cinnamon adding dimension. This is a serious, revelatory wine built with substantial power to age, but enough harmony to enjoy today. Definitely one for the collectors and most devoted Burghounds. I say get at least two, to savor now and later (with shipping included as well)!

PAIRING IDEAS: Skillet meals can simultaneously be low maintenance yet packed with flavor and elegance – like this divine herby chicken and orzo skillet, loaded with hearty veggies and fresh herbs, and topped with salty parmesan cheese. Unbelievable with this equally complex White Burgundy!