Montrachet Domaine Marquis de Laguiche Joseph Drouhin

Grape Variety : Chardonnay.

Vineyard :

Site : in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune, the estate of the Marquis de Laguiche is entirely located on the Puligny side of the appellation. A very mild slope and a great south-east exposure.

History & tradition: at every period of history, a few vineyards have been considered heirloom treasures for their incomparable quality. The Montrachet of Marquis de Laguiche belongs to this Pantheon. This property (2.06 hectares - 5.15 acres) is actually the largest parcel of the Montrachet vineyard and has been in the hands of the Laguiche family since 1363. The Drouhin family is in charge of its cultivation and vinification and, since 1947, has spread and preserved its worldwide renown.

Soil: brown-red earth, strewn with white, polished limestone pebble. The word "rachet" in Montrachet means infertile land, where nothing can grow.

Viticulture :

Plantation density: from 10,000 stocks/ha in order to extract all possible nuances from the terroir.

Pruning: Guyot.

Yield: 48hl/ha. Low on purpose to limit the production of each vine stock.

Vinification :

Harvesting: by hand, in small open crates in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit.

Sorting: if necessary, the grapes are sorted twice : once when being picked, the second time on the sorting table at the winery.

Pressing: very slow so as to respect fruit. Juices from the very last pressings are not retained The wine goes directly into barrels after débourbage (decanting of white wine to reduce sediment).

Ageing :

Type: in barrels (0% in new oak).

Length: 15 to 18 months.

Origin of the wood: French oak forests.

Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine.

Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.

Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin :

"An authentic masterpiece! This wine should be regarded as the yardstick by which all other Burgundies should be judged. The colour has a splendid golden sheen. On the nose, a multitude of aromas are a pleasure to discover: floral notes of lily of the valley, peach blossom, exotic fruit, honey, grilled almonds, even exotic woods at times. On the palate, the structure is dominated by a harmonious roundness which never imparts any heaviness. The aftertaste is exceptionally long and enhances the finesse of the whole. A glorious symphony of sensations!".

Serving :

Temperature: 14-15°C (58-60°F).

Cellaring: 10 to 40 years.