Domaine de Montille Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2018
- Vintage
- 2018
- Country
- France
- Region
- Burgundy,Cote de Beaune
- Size
- 750ml
- Rating
- BH91~94
- Grape
- Chardonnay
Here too there is an abundance of mineral reduction character to the green fruit, white flower and lemon zest-suffused aromas. The rich and solidly powerful broad-shouldered flavors also brim with minerality and sappy dry extract before concluding in a powerful, bone-dry and very crunchy finish where the saliva-inducing acidity is quite refreshing. This is sufficiently tightly wound to require at least 6 to 8 years of cellaring and 12 to 15 years will be necessary to see it at full maturity. Drink:2030+ - BH91~94
Domaine de Montille is a Burgundy producer known for its Pinot Noir from highly regarded vineyards in Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The family has an extensive history in Burgundy, and the estate has carried the Montille name since 1863.
During much of its history it sold grapes to negociants, which was the most common practice for vineyard owners in the early 20th century. The domaine also sold off whole parcels of land that significantly reduced its size. Hubert de Montille inherited the remaining 2.5 hectares (6 acres) in Volnay and vinified the first vintage in 1947.
Montille turned the domaine into one of the top red Burgundy producers, starting with purchasing parcels of land in various communes along the Côte d'Or. By 2011, the estate had grown to 20ha (50 acres) with 75 percent of its land in premier or grand cru vineyards. This was more or less doubled by the purchase of Château de Puligny-Montrachet the following year (see below).
Its most sought-after wines come from plots in Corton, Pommard, Vosne Romanée Aux Malconsorts and has grown to include plots of Chardonnay in Puligny-Montrachet's premier cru Le Cailleret vineyard as well. In the 1980s Hubert's son, Étienne, began working at the domaine followed by his daughter, Alix.
In the mid 1990s, Domaine de Montille began using organic farming practices. It took a turn towards biodynamicism in 2005 and was certified organic by a third party in 2012. The winery only uses indigenous yeast and heavily avoids chaptalization resulting in wines that are rarely higher than 12 percent abv. The use of new oak is also strictly controlled.
The family also owns the negociant label Maison de Montille. This offers wines from non-estate grown fruit.
Château de Puligny-Montrachet
In 2001 Étienne began overseeing Château de Puligny-Montrachet. He introduced biodynamic farming and whole cluster fermentations to make the wines less austere, more silky and more aromatic. His initial seven year management contract was renewed in 2008, reflecting a rise in quality.
Then in 2012 the Montille family bought the domaine, continuing distinct production for a few years.. From the 2017 vintage have been releasing the wines under the Domaine de Montille banner.
The purchase delivered around another 20 hectares (49 acres) of vines, with a focus on Chardonnay, located across the Côte de Beaune. Some parcels of Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru were not taken on by the new owners
The holdings are not especially focussed on Puligny-Montrachet in terms of area. However they do include small parcels in three Premier Crus and the Grand Crus Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Montrachet.