Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2016

The Chablis wine region stretches along the Serein valley and across 19 communes. Chablis, known as the “Golden Gate of Burgundy”, is dedicated to the production of a clear, aromatic, fresh white wine whose name is synonym of “minerality”.

Terroir: 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is a 30 hectare vineyard just southeast of the Grand Crus and enjoys the same south/southeast exposure as Les Clos. Soils here well drained and are made up primarily kimmeridgian (clay and limestone).

Vinification: Manual harvesting is carried out at optimum ripeness levels (between 12 and 13°). The grapes are pressed in our pneumatic press and the musts then undergo cold maceration for a 5 to 7 day period before being settled and vinified. The alcoholic fermentation lasts between 15 to 18 days at the Domaine. The malolactic fermentation is usually initiated in December. The wine is aged for around 14 months including a period of time in French oak barrels if necessary. The wine is racked twice before being bottled in late autumn.

Additional Information

Beautiful white gold hue with green reflections. This 1er cru is highly aromatic with mineral notes and spice. The taut palate is softened by its rich and oily texture. It offers the perfect balance between strength, freshness, minerality, fruit and ripeness. An elegant, complex and harmonious wine.

Appellation: Chablis
Winemaker: Olivier Bailly
Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
Soil: Kimmeridgian
Vineyard Acreage: 30ha total
Avg Vine Age: 45+ years
Alcohol: 13%
Avg Production: 12,000 bottles
Sizes Available: 750ml, 375ml, 1.5l
Pack Size: 6/750ml, 12/375ml, 3/1.5l
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay

Recent Press

Score: 92 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2018
"The weight of Montée is evident here. This has impressive, rich and fleshy appeal with a core of white peaches and ripe melon. Smooth rich and even. Drink or hold."
Score: 90 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
Date: Thursday, August 2, 2018
Green plum and apple flavors are accented by a lemon peel note in this steely, elegant white. The acidity defines the finish, turning firm and piquant. Drink now through 2022.
Vinous Author: Stephen Tanzer
Date: Friday, February 2, 2018
(Billaud-Simon produced 48 hectoliters per hectare as this sector was spared by frost and hail): Orange and lime zest aromas are complicated by musky apple, mint, crushed stone and ginger. Silky, suave and classic; quite dry but not edgy, offering alluring flavors of peach, minerals and ginger. A rather feminine, fine-grained style but still with a serious structure. Spicy and reverberating on the classic finish. This wine only finished its malo a month before my visit; one of the three cuves had been racked but the other two were still on their lees. Superb potential.

Grade: 91-93 Points
Burghound Author: Allen Meadows
Date: Sunday, October 1, 2017
"(from a 2.5 ha parcel of 35+ year old vines – two thirds of the blend is from Chapelot and the remainder is from Pied d’Aloup and Montée de Tonnerre proper; the Pied d’Aloup vines were planted in 1935). This is also aromatically ripe and cool with its more elegant nose of apple, white flowers, tidal pool and a hint of baked bread. The textured, refined and classy medium weight flavors ooze a discreet bead of minerality on the delicious and more vibrant finish that is agreeably dry."

Grade: 89-92 points