2022 Arnaud Baillot Chassagne Montrachet Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy

Arnaud Baillot Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes is a richly textured and finely detailed white Burgundy that captures the elegance and quiet power of this renowned Côte de Beaune village. Crafted from old vines, often more than 40 years in age, this wine benefits from deeply rooted plants that bring concentration, complexity and a true expression of Chassagne’s clay-limestone soils.

Arnaud Baillot is part of a new generation of Burgundy producers, combining traditional winemaking with a keen eye for balance and purity. The fruit for this cuvée is hand harvested and gently pressed, followed by fermentation in French oak barrels (a portion of which are new). The wine is aged on lees for up to 12 months, with minimal bâtonnage, allowing the wine to gain volume while retaining freshness and tension.

On the nose, it opens with white peach, lemon curd, crushed stone, toasted hazelnut and a whisper of brioche. The palate is full yet refined, with a creamy texture, bright citrus and orchard fruit at the core, and a long, mineral finish touched with spice and almond. There’s a beautiful interplay of richness and precision, typical of well-made Chassagne from mature vines.

Food pairing: ideal with lobster, scallops, roast chicken with tarragon, creamy morel pasta, or Comté cheese. Also excellent with dishes featuring truffle or a simple grilled white fish with beurre blanc.

Cellar potential: delicious now with air, but will evolve gracefully over 6 to 10 years, developing nutty, honeyed and savoury layers while holding its mineral backbone.