2020 Domaine de Montille Meursault Les Perrières

Domaine de Montille is the Volnay estate of the Montille family, which traces its roots to the 17th century. In modern times the estate was revived by Hubert Montille, the family patriarch who, though trained as a lawyer, began making wine in 1947. Rather than selling his cuvee to negociants, he bottled his own, a rarity at the time. Today the estate is run by Hubert’s son Etienne, also a lawyer with extensive viticulture experience, with help from his sister Alix. Hubert died in 2014. The 60-acre estate includes Grand Cru parcels in Clos de Vougeot, Corton and Corton-Charlemagne, as well as Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanee, Pommard, Volnay, Beaune and Puligny-Montrachet. Clive Coates calls Domaine de Montille a “great Volnay estate, well-known for its policy of minimal chaptalisation. This makes for very pure wines….”

Les Perrieres is 34-acre Premier Cru vineyard in Meursault, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. The vineyard includes several sub parcels. They are the 2.4-acre monopole Clos des Perrieres, which belongs to Domaine Albert Grivault, and Les Perrieres Dessous. Because Les Perrieres is in southern Meursault next to Puligny, the Les Perrieres Meursaults are considered to have more minerality than other Meursaults. Burgundy writer Clive Coates has noted that “Perrieres is perhaps the most elegant and persistent of the premier crus. At its best, it is positively brilliant…” Since Meursault lacks a Grand Cru, Meursault’s reputation for excellence is based on the Premier Crus, particularly the whites.

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.