The 2020 Domaine Jacques Carillon Chassagne-Montrachet is a finely structured 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, combining generous fruit with freshness and a mineral finish. Although Jacques Carillon is principally associated with Puligny-Montrachet, this small Chassagne holding offers another expression of his winemaking. The Carillon family’s roots in the region date back to 1520, while this cuvée comes from a single 0.27-hectare parcel planted with Chardonnay in 2013. The wine spends 12 months in oak barrels with approximately 15% new oak, followed by six months in stainless steel, bringing texture and subtle oak complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
The 2020 offers pear, fresh pineapple and fruit blossom, complemented by vanilla, grilled almond and a gentle touch of spice. There is depth to the palate, with refreshing acidity giving shape to its generous fruit. John Gilman awarded it 91 Points, praising its concentrated core, focus, balance and long finish, while noting that it would benefit from some cellaring. Neal Martin awarded it 90 Points in a subsequent bottled assessment, highlighting its mineral character, balanced palate, fine acidity and almond notes. These reviews describe a substantial village Chassagne with both richness and definition, making it particularly appealing alongside food.
