Domaine Chanson, Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, France, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Domaine Chanson is one of the great historic producers in Burgundy. Founded in 1750, they are 1 of only 6 producers in the region still remaining from the 18th century and earlier. Most critical to today, Chanson was purchased in 1999 and has been dramatically restored to once again become one of Burgundy’s top estates, best signified in 2017 by 3 of their wines earning “wine of the year” plaudits from the most renowned wine critic in France.

Chanson has extensive holdings of over 111 acres of exclusively Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the heart of Burgundy. This includes 62 acres of Premier Cru vineyards in the Côte de Beaune, making them one of the leading Premier Cru specialists in the appellation. They produce approximately 17,000 cases of domaine wine per year from their vineyards by farming organically, and harvesting all grapes and vinifying all wines, even for contracted vineyards.

Requiring diligent viticulture and perfect ripeness, they vinify all whites and reds 100% whole cluster at their state of the art facility on the outskirts of Beaune. They use Champagne-style fractional pressing to gently extract the juice, and then age wines in barrel, with no more than 30% new oak for the reds and 20% new oak for the whites.

Aging takes place in the Bastion they own, 1 of the 5 massive towers from the 15th century fortifications that encircle the heart of medieval Beaune. Remarkably, Chanson acquired the Bastion just after the French Revolution. The thickness of the Bastion’s walls (an astonishing 24 feet thick at the base) ensure a constant temperature and level of humidity. The red wines are stored for 18-24 months in oak barrels in the vaulted cellars of the first 3 levels, each one dedicated to a separate vintage. On the 4th level, a huge circular cellar with a gigantic radial structure supported by chestnut beams shelters the white wines during fermentation, vinification and ageing in oak barrels.

Chanson’s wines are defined by lifted and exotic aromas, a supple texture, and rich, dense fruit without heaviness. Chanson is notably obsessed with maintaining top quality across its entire range. The regional and village wines are produced with the same precision and care as the Premier and Grand Crus, and are also artisanal in production. Chanson today occupies a unique position in offering outstanding and authentic wines from a range of both top and up-and-coming terroirs across Burgundy.

Grape / Blend
Chardonnay

Origin
Burgundy, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
This serious Bourgogne Blanc is pale gold in color with intense aromas of citrus fruit, green almond and an underlying minerality. On the palate, it is well-balanced, with very pure fruit and a racy acidity. The finish is refreshing. It’s perfect with charcuterie, pâté and goat cheese. After a winter characterized by marked variations in temperature between January and February, spring started with mild temperatures. A sequence of cold weather in April was followed by warm temperatures in May but the lack of water was very noticeable and could not be compensated by the rainy storms of June. Summer was marked by several and long heat waves and the storms of the end of August were most welcome. The harvest at Chanson started on August 30 with a team of 100 persons and ended on September 13. 2022 vintage was quite generous both in volume and quality and the white wines are well-balanced, precise and refreshing.

Grapes are sourced from the clay and limestone slopes of the Cote Chalonnaise and the Cote de Beaune, which produces a usual Bourgogne Blanc. Handpicked, directly followed by a Champagne-style fractional pressing is practiced to gently extract the purest juice. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in still tank. Aged 5 to 6 months on lies.

94 Points - Ian Blackburn | White Burgundy Value of the Year
Tasted at the winery, April 2024, this was a standout wine of the day.... not your typical lower end cuvee, this is a dynamic, high quality, juicy and delicious white Burgundy... from a house that is rising in quality and consistency.  Color 14.5, Aroma 23.5, Body 23 and Overall 33 - 94 points - Stone fruits, citrus flowers, apple, pastry, and plus acidity and richness. Mouthfilling, enjoyable and a good lengthy finish.

Product size: 750ml