Description
The 2023 Domaine Vincent & François Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gain is a definitive expression of high-elevation precision, leveraging 60-year-old vines to masterfully balance the “opulent and charming” fruit of the vintage with a crystalline mineral focus. Sourced from the stony, limestone-heavy soils situated just below the forest line, this wine offers a sophisticated and indulgent profile of white peach, lemon blossom, and fresh almonds, underpinned by a distinctive “chalky” tension. Winemaker François Jouard utilizes a traditional regime of 11 months in French oak followed by a settling period in tank, resulting in a silken, creamy mid-palate that remains vibrant and vertical.
Hailed by critics like Jasper Morris MW for its “impressive persistence and succulent character,” this 93-point Premier Cru captures the structural “sap” of its centenarian root systems, promising a graceful evolution through 2035.
The Appearance: A brilliant, pale straw yellow with silver-green glints.
The Nose: Luxurious and expressive. It opens with white peach and lemon blossom, evolving into notes of dried fruits, fresh almonds, and a distinct stony flintiness.
The Palate: Rich and well-structured. It leads with a “succulent and indulgent” mouthfeel, immediately followed by a wave of zesty acidity. The old-vine density provides a weight and presence that lingers across the tongue.
The Finish: Very balanced and crystalline, leaving a persistent trail of chalky minerals and citrus zest.
