2019 Le Montrachet
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
This is pure and refined, with aromas of bright white peach, ripe lemon rind, gun smoke, and hints of toasted nuts and butter. It has a bright, nicely ripe, exuberant palate – almost exotic, with mandarin fruit – that is surprisingly open and generous. This is delicate but with real power, depth and concentration underneath. There is clear expertise in the winemaking here, gentle extraction and well-integrated oak adding controlled weight, density and texture, but not to the detriment of the terroir. It’s got a racy freshness, with a mineral, saline character that becomes evident after a few hours in the glass. This is classic, in the style of the vineyard, but really showcases what is special about the greatest whites in 2019 – concentration, real freshness and harmony. In terms of sheer length, this edges the Chevalier, but only just. It feels like this will last forever. Outstanding. Only a single barrel was made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Barrel sample. Rather subdued on the nose, especially compared with the Chevalier-Montrachet. Marked by the oak rather than the fruit. The palate is particularly creamy and oaky and the fruit just about keeps up, and it should become more meshed. There’s certainly great freshness. But there is a slight bitterness on the finish. (JH)
The 2019 Montrachet Grand Cru has a crisp bouquet of orange blossom and crushed stone, plus touches of white chalk and later yellow flowers. This is quite mercurial. The palate is well balanced with subtle tropical notes on the entry and quite cohesive. A faint hint of stem ginger appears toward the finish. Good persistence, although it needs a touch more energy overall.
About the producer
Nicolas Potel is one of Burgundy’s most talented and connected winemakers. He created Maison Roche de Bellene, the négoce arm of Domaine de Bellene, in 2008, using his extensive network in the region to source top-quality fruit for an "haute couture" négociant operation.