2023 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet "Vieilles Vignes", Burgundy, France

ABOUT THE WINE

The Vieilles Vignes bottling is sourced from mature Chardonnay vines in Chassagne-Montrachet, giving the wine greater concentration and depth while retaining the village’s characteristic limestone-derived freshness. In the generous 2023 vintage, that old-vine intensity translates into a compelling combination of ripe orchard and citrus fruit, breadth through the mid-palate, and the firm mineral structure that defines Colin-Morey’s style.

Aromatically, the wine moves between lemon zest, pear, white peach and delicate florals, with layers of flint, chalk, toasted almond and restrained oak emerging with air. The palate is ample and finely textured, but vivid acidity keeps the richness firmly in check. A savory, saline quality builds toward the finish, leaving impressions of citrus peel, crushed stone and subtle spice.

Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey’s approach to white Burgundy emphasizes freshness and vineyard expression rather than overt winemaking signatures. Chardonnay is typically whole-cluster pressed and fermented in barrel, with little to no bâtonnage, allowing natural texture to develop without sacrificing tension. His restrained handling of the 2023s is particularly well suited to the vintage’s naturally generous fruit.

While already compelling with air, this is a wine that should gain additional complexity with bottle age as its youthful fruit and reductive mineral character evolve toward hazelnut, toast and more savory notes. Pair it with roast chicken, grilled turbot, scallops, lobster, veal, mushroom dishes, or Comté and other firm Alpine cheeses.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Domaine Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is one of the benchmark domaines for contemporary white Burgundy. Pierre-Yves Colin, son of longtime Saint-Aubin producer Marc Colin, established the domaine with his wife, Caroline Morey, whose family has deep roots in Chassagne-Montrachet. Their holdings span important vineyards in Saint-Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and neighboring appellations.

The domaine has become particularly admired for a style that marries concentration with remarkable freshness and precision. Careful vineyard work, timely harvesting, whole-bunch pressing, minimal bâtonnage and measured use of oak are employed to preserve acidity and clearly articulate differences between sites. Larger-format barrels are also an important part of the élevage, helping moderate the influence of new wood.

Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey’s wines often show a characteristic smoky or flinty reduction in youth, but beneath it lies exceptionally pure fruit, incisive acidity and pronounced mineral structure. The Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes captures that philosophy especially well: old-vine richness and the natural breadth of Chassagne are shaped into a Chardonnay of tension, clarity and impressive longevity.