2021 Domaine Blain Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Chassagne-Montrachet rouge can have some of the same characteristics found in the red wines of the Côte de Nuits. They can have some of the same tannins and earthiness found in Nuits-Saint-Georges and the premier crus especially can occasionally rival the complexity and longevity found in more famous red wine villages. Domaine Blain-Gagnard is well-known as an excellent source for Chassagne-Montrachet rouge. Old vines (with some plantings dating back to 1932) give depth and concentration while aging in old barrels allows the appellation to speak clearly. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine Blain-Gagnard was formed in 1980 when Jean-Marc Blain (a Sancerrois) married Claudine Gagnard, youngest daughter of Jacques and Marie-Josèphe Gagnard of Domaine Gagnard-Delagrange. The couple runs this venerable domaine with the help of their son Marc-Antonin. Jean-Marc Blain and Claudine Gagnard met while they were both studying oenology at Dijon. The estate's vineyards come mainly from grandparents and other relatives of Claudine, along with a few purchases. The vines are planted in Chardonnay (55%) and the rest in Pinot Noir, with a small parcel of Passetoutgrain. They now control 20.5 acres of vines in Chassagne-Montrachet, including holdings in three grands crus: Le Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.  

Chassagne-Montrachet lies towards the southern end of the Côte de Beaune and is famous for its white wines, although half of its total plantings are in red. In addition to the Grand Crus, Blain-Gagnard’s holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet include the red premier crus of Clos Saint Jean and Morgeot, and the white premier crus of Morgeot, Boudriotte, and Cailleret. Additionally, the domaine holds premier cru parcels of Volnay Chanlin, Volnay Pitures, and in the Pommard lieu-dit La Croix Planet les Combes. In addition to the Grand Crus Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, in 1999 they received a parcel of Le Montrachet from Jacques Gagnard. From 2000 onward, Le Montrachet from this parcel is made at and bottled as Domaine Blain-Gagnard. The vineyards are farmed by lutte raisonée (“reasoned struggle”).