Jean Noël Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Chaumées'

For many decades, Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard has been a well-kept secret, known for its wines that perfectly balance elegance and character. Jean-Noël Gagnard, who took over the estate from his father and grandfather, handed it to his daughter, Caroline Lestimé, in 1989, who, along with her husband Hubert, has further elevated the wines to cult status. They transitioned to organic farming, completed in 2014, and now follow biodynamic principles in both viticulture and vinification. The wines express their unique terroir, shaped by limestone-rich, occasionally stony soils with traces of iron, resulting in wines celebrated for their elegance, complexity, minerality, and harmony. With 8.5 hectares of vines spanning premier cru plots in Chassagne Montrachet and Grand Cru Bâtard-Montrachet, Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard has restored historical names to the premier cru sites, diversifying the offerings while maintaining the wines' remarkable quality. Caroline Lestimé's meticulous winemaking approach emphasizes the enduring nature of her wines, preserving each vintage's distinctive characteristics. The use of oak barrels, with limited new oak influence (approximately 25%), ensures a clear stylistic expression unobscured by excessive wood notes. After 18 to 20 months of aging, all wines undergo a very gentle filtration before bottling.