2023 Domaine Jean Fery, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Abbaye de Morgeot

Burgundy, France | 100% Chardonnay | 17/20 JR

A serious, age-worthy Premier Cru that balances power with the ethereal. This cuvée is drawn from three distinct plots situated directly beneath the historic ruins of the Abbaye de Morgeot. These parcels represent three generations of viticulture—vines aged 75, 40, and 15 years old—offering a unique blend of old-vine concentration and youthful energy. Certified organic and hand-harvested, this is Chassagne-Montrachet at its most profound and textured.

Awarded 17/20 by Julia Harding MW on JancisRobinson.com, this 1er Cru is a masterclass in balance. The nose reveals a sophisticated interplay of intense orchard fruit and stony minerality, with subtle oak spice that is already impeccably integrated. On the palate, the wine is broad, deep, and creamy, showing a "wax-sealed" density. It combines significant fruit weight with a savoury, finely textured structure and a long, resonating finish. While it has the power to accompany lobster or poultry in rich sauces now, its true potential lies in its ability to develop complex tertiary notes over the next decade.

Winemaker François Lecaillon employs a patient élevage to do justice to this iconic terroir. The wine is fermented with ambient yeasts and aged for 21 months in a mix of new (35%) and seasoned French oak. Following this long barrel maturation, it spends a final month on fine lees in tank before bottling in June 2024. This "light-touch" philosophy ensures the high-altitude freshness of the site is preserved, while the extended time in wood provides the backbone required for long-term cellaring.