Fernand & Laurent Pillot - Chassagne-Montrachet Les Champgains 2020
Price: $94.75
| Producer | Fernand & Laurent Pillot |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Subregion | Cote de Beaune |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 09538 |
Fernand & Laurent Pillot Description
The vines grow on 0.85 acres of stony, clay-limestone soils which are located at 787 feet above sea level. Les Champgains sits mid-slope and mid-village in Chassagne, producing wines of elegance and depth. Grapes are hand-harvested and carried to the winery where they undergo alcoholic fermentation in oak barrels for a period of two months. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 11–12 months.
TASTING NOTES: Persistent scents of lemon and grapefruit lead the way to a warm, round and rich mouthfeel with flavors of white flowers and citrus fruits. This wine has a long finish and a delicate acidity. Can age for three to ten years. A great aperitif that also pairs well with grilled fish, shrimp, lobster and white meats in creamy sauces.
Wine Spectator: 91 Points
The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Champgains wafts from the glass with aromas of pear, orange oil, confit lemon and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, layered and open-knit, it's a fleshy, charming wine that's giving but lively.
Laurent Pillot's son Adrien continues to take an increasing role at this Chassagne-Montrachet estate, and the domaine's wines have taken another step up in quality in 2020. Organic certification is underway in the vineyards, and in the winery, reds are destemmed and see long macerations. Elevage has been extended and their cooperage choices refined (Tonnellerie Billon is now a favorite). As I wrote last year, such evolutions should be seen as a continuation and extension of Adrien's father's work, since Laurent Pillot began working the soils in 2012 and fine-tuning élevage practices, as well as bottling under DIAM corks to ensure the reliable evolution of his whites in bottle.
In the past, I've advised readers that this is one of the Cote de Beaune's underrated addresses, and that only becomes more apparent. The 2020s are the best wines I've tasted at this address, and everything here comes warmly recommended.
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