2010 Blain-Gagnard Le Montrachet

Blain-Gagnard is a 20-acre estate in Chassange. It is owned and operated by Jean-Marc Blain and his wife Claudine Blain Gagnard, whose late father was the much admired vigneron Jacques Gagnard. The domain has Grand Cru parcels in Le Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Criots-Batard-Montrachet, and white and red Premier Crus in Chassange-Montrachet. Clive Coates has called the domain “a fine source…Blain’s white wines, like those of the rest of the family, concentrate on the finesse and the fruit are delicate for Chassagnes.”

Le Montrachet is renowned as one of the world’s truly extraordinary Chardonnay vineyards. Along with its three neighboring vineyards, Chevalier-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, Le Montrachet is a highly prestigious Grand Cru. Though Le Montrachet is usually associated with the Puligny-Montrachet appellation, almost half the famous vineyard lies in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation just to the south. Le Montrachet is a 20-acre vineyard located on a steep, southern and southeastern slope at 260 meters above sea level. The soil is limestone and clay mixed with pebbles. The drainage is excellent and it is considered an ideal vineyard site. Until the French Revolution the vineyard was owned by a single family. Today the largest landholders are Marquis de Laguiche (whose wines are vinifed and marketed by Joseph Drouhin) with 5 acres; Baron Thenard (wines sold by Roland Remoissenet et Fils) 4.5 acres; and Bouchard Pere et Fils, 2.2 acres.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.