2015 Roger Belland Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet

Domaine Roger Belland is a family estate that dates to the early 19th century. Located in the village of Santenay-la-Bas, the domaine includes nearly 60 vineyard acres in Les Maranges, Santenay, Puligny, Chassagne Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay and Pommard. The family also holds the single largest parcel of the Grand Cru Criots Batard Montrachet. Roger and his daughter Julie are the fifth and sixth generations of the Belland family to run the estate.

Criots-Batard-Montrachet is a 3.87-acre Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyard just to the south of Batard-Montrachet, in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation of Burgundy. The largest landholders are Roger Belland, 1.5 acres; Charles Bonnefoy, .5 acre; and Richard Fontaine-Gagnard, .7 acre.

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.