2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (12%) |
| Drink window | 2026 - 2048 |
Description
Domaine Michel Niellon
Domaine Michel Niellon is one of the classic producers of Chassagne-Montrachet and has been praised for decades for wines that combine richness, tension, and precision. The estate's style is known for its subtle use of oak, refined texture, and a recognizable expression of terroir. Michel Niellon himself was at the forefront of this signature style and remained involved with his vineyards and cellar well into old age. His death marked the end of an era, but his philosophy is continued by his son-in-law Michel Coutoux, who leads the estate with the same focus on precision and balance. The 2019 vintage reaffirms the estate's position as one of the most reliable and consistent addresses for top-tier white Burgundy.
The terroir of Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Chevalier-Montrachet is situated among the highest elevations within the historic Montrachet hillside. The soil consists of limestone with a thin topsoil, resulting in low yields and intense minerality. The elevated position ensures cool nights, which contribute to the aromatic freshness and tension of the grapes. Chardonnay from this parcel is known for its refinement and precision, with a line that is often more elegant and vertical than that of neighboring Grand Crus. The 2019 vintage is from a year in which ripeness and freshness combined exceptionally well, contributing to the wine's vibrant acidity and deep layering.
The 2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
The 2019 vintage opens with aromas of ripe yellow fruit, bright honey, white flowers, and subtle oak. Notes of almond and a hint of nutmeg underscore the complexity. On the palate, the wine is satiny and concentrated, with a core that is both rich and energetic. The balance between power and tension is characteristic of the appellation. The wine displays a layered structure that slowly unfolds and a long, precise finish that combines minerality and lively acidity. Reviews emphasize the finesse and texture, two qualities typical of the Niellon style. This vintage promises excellent development until at least 2048.
Vinification and style of the estate
Domaine Michel Niellon works with a distinctive signature in which wood plays a subtle, supporting role. The barrels, sourced from Tonnellerie Gillet in Saint-Romain, impart a light toast and structure without overpowering the wine's delicate character. The vinification is classic and focused on a pure expression of Chardonnay. The long barrel aging creates a satiny texture and layered aromas. The 2019 vintage displays a perfect balance between ripeness and tension, with bright fruit and a refined, mineral backbone.
Color, smell and taste
The color is light golden yellow with a brilliant intensity. The aroma combines ripe peach, yellow apple, white blossom, toasted almond, and notes of honey. On the palate, the wine presents itself as full-bodied, layered, and vibrant, with a satiny texture and a precise acidity. The finish is long, clear, and mineral, with the fine tension characteristic of Chevalier-Montrachet. The wine already shows considerable depth but will continue to refine in the coming years.
Would you like to order wines from Domaine Michel Niellon online?
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Wine and food pairing advice for the 2019 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Lemon sole with beurre blanc and chives
The wine's fresh acidity and creamy texture enhance the soft, creamy sauces of classic fish dishes.
Veal oyster with morels and cream sauce
The earthy, refined depth of morels perfectly complements the layering of this Grand Cru.
Baked cod with lemon, fennel and almond
The clarity and minerality of the wine add tension to the light, aromatic flavours.
Risotto with asparagus and Parmesan
The combination of creaminess and freshness fits perfectly with the elegant structure of the wine.
Grilled lobster with herb butter
The wine's rich texture and warm aromas complement the sweet taste of lobster.
Goat cheese with honey and rosemary
The aromatic purity and lively acidity bring balance to the creamy and slightly sweet elements of this dish.
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Appellation | Puligny-Montrachet |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Michel Niellon |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2048 |
| Alcohol % | 12 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95+
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2048
The 2019 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru wafts from the glass with aromas of ripe yellow orchard fruit, clear honey, white flowers, toasted almonds and nutmeg. Full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's lively and concentrated, with a deep, enveloping core, racy acids and a long, precise finish.
It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Michel Niellon while this report was going to press. He must have been content, however, to leave the domaine in such good hands, as his son-in-law, Michel Coutoux, is routinely producing wines of impressively consistent quality and style. 2019 is another fine success, delivering beautifully balanced wines with plenty of concentration and cut. As readers may remember, house fingerprint here is distinctive, with a touch of toasty oak from Saint-Romain's Tonnellerie Gillet marking each cuvée and the wines dependably distinguishing themselves with lovely texture and concentration. This is a domaine in fine form today, and as I've written before, readers who have fallen out of touch with the wines are advised to reacquaint themselves with this excellent producer.
Published: Jan 14, 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(91-94)
From: 2017 White Burgundy: Quantity, Quality and Great Charm (Sep 2018)
(from a crop level of 48 hectoliters per hectare, according to Coutoux; two of the five barrels were new): Bright light-medium yellow. Aromas of lemon, tangerine and crushed rock are muted by an element of reduction. Silky, suave and intense on the palate; at another level of concentration from the premier crus at this address, with brisk mineral-driven acidity giving the wine a totally different texture and sharper definition than the rest of the Niellon '17s. Thick but not a bit heavy, with its impression of stuffing perfectly leavened by lemony lift. Finishes smooth and subtly long. (Incidentally, as I mentioned last year, Niellon pulled up his old Bâtard-Montrachet vines after the 2015 harvest and plans to replant in 2021, after allowing the parcel to remain fallow for six years.)
- By Stephen Tanzer on June 2018
Michel Coutoux, who manages this estate for his father-in-law Michel Niellon and shares winemaking and vineyard duties, described 2017 as "a big breath of oxygen after all the difficulties in 2016." The estate "made the limit" across the board, as its vineyards snapped back after the disastrous frost of 2016. Still, said Coutoux, the volumes were not excessive and the wines are "flattering and nicely balanced, with good fruit." He noted that acidity levels in the grapes fell during the heat of late August, with east- and southeast-facing vines on shallow soil more likely to suffer from a blockage of maturity, but that conditions were much more benign during the first week of September (the estate started harvesting on September 3). He also told me that Pinot Noir was changed more by the end-of-August rainfall as the Chardonnay berries affected by hydric stress did not swell as quickly.
Incidentally, back when Niellon made his wine in two tiny, cramped cellars under his house in the center of Chassagne-Montrachet, the end of the sugar fermentations could be tricky, as they took place in metal tanks. But in his new temperature-controlled facility on the south side of town, he's able to move the wines into barrels in the middle of the fermentations, giving them a dose of oxygen that helps finish the alcohols.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Domaine Michel Niellon is a winery located in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation in the Côte de Beaune region (Burgundy, France).
History of Domaine Michel Niellon
The Niellon family has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the 19th century when the family was founded by Michel Niellon's grandfather, Léon Niellon. In the 1960s, Michel Niellon took over the family business from his father, Marcel Niellon, and continued the tradition of producing exceptional Burgundian wines. The estate has six hectares of vineyards, mainly located in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation. The vineyards are located at different altitudes between 200 and 400 meters, which contributes to the unique character of their wines. Michel Niellon keeps it traditional. Many of their vineyards still contain vines planted by Marcel Niellon in 1926. When replanting is necessary, they use low yielding clones to ensure the grapes produced are highly concentrated and of superior quality.
Production by Michel Niellon
Domaine Michel Niellon is characterized by meticulous attention to detail. Both the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay are picked by hand and strictly selected for quality. The fermentation process is initiated using the natural yeasts present on the grape skins. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, with a portion of new wood (typically 15% to 30%). Malolactic conversion and Sur Lie also take place in these wooden barrels. Domaine Michel Niellon is known for producing high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Their icon, the Bâtard-Montrachet, is highly regarded. In addition, the Chassagne-Montrachet's of this product are known worldwide for their exceptional quality.
Domaine Michel Niellon
Domaine Michel Niellon is one of the classic producers of Chassagne-Montrachet and has been praised for decades for wines that combine richness, tension, and precision. The estate's style is known for its subtle use of oak, refined texture, and a recognizable expression of terroir. Michel Niellon himself was at the forefront of this signature style and remained involved with his vineyards and cellar well into old age. His death marked the end of an era, but his philosophy is continued by his son-in-law Michel Coutoux, who leads the estate with the same focus on precision and balance. The 2019 vintage reaffirms the estate's position as one of the most reliable and consistent addresses for top-tier white Burgundy.
The terroir of Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Chevalier-Montrachet is situated among the highest elevations within the historic Montrachet hillside. The soil consists of limestone with a thin topsoil, resulting in low yields and intense minerality. The elevated position ensures cool nights, which contribute to the aromatic freshness and tension of the grapes. Chardonnay from this parcel is known for its refinement and precision, with a line that is often more elegant and vertical than that of neighboring Grand Crus. The 2019 vintage is from a year in which ripeness and freshness combined exceptionally well, contributing to the wine's vibrant acidity and deep layering.
The 2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
The 2019 vintage opens with aromas of ripe yellow fruit, bright honey, white flowers, and subtle oak. Notes of almond and a hint of nutmeg underscore the complexity. On the palate, the wine is satiny and concentrated, with a core that is both rich and energetic. The balance between power and tension is characteristic of the appellation. The wine displays a layered structure that slowly unfolds and a long, precise finish that combines minerality and lively acidity. Reviews emphasize the finesse and texture, two qualities typical of the Niellon style. This vintage promises excellent development until at least 2048.
Vinification and style of the estate
Domaine Michel Niellon works with a distinctive signature in which wood plays a subtle, supporting role. The barrels, sourced from Tonnellerie Gillet in Saint-Romain, impart a light toast and structure without overpowering the wine's delicate character. The vinification is classic and focused on a pure expression of Chardonnay. The long barrel aging creates a satiny texture and layered aromas. The 2019 vintage displays a perfect balance between ripeness and tension, with bright fruit and a refined, mineral backbone.
Color, smell and taste
The color is light golden yellow with a brilliant intensity. The aroma combines ripe peach, yellow apple, white blossom, toasted almond, and notes of honey. On the palate, the wine presents itself as full-bodied, layered, and vibrant, with a satiny texture and a precise acidity. The finish is long, clear, and mineral, with the fine tension characteristic of Chevalier-Montrachet. The wine already shows considerable depth but will continue to refine in the coming years.
Would you like to order wines from Domaine Michel Niellon online?
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Wine and food pairing advice for the 2019 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Lemon sole with beurre blanc and chives
The wine's fresh acidity and creamy texture enhance the soft, creamy sauces of classic fish dishes.
Veal oyster with morels and cream sauce
The earthy, refined depth of morels perfectly complements the layering of this Grand Cru.
Baked cod with lemon, fennel and almond
The clarity and minerality of the wine add tension to the light, aromatic flavours.
Risotto with asparagus and Parmesan
The combination of creaminess and freshness fits perfectly with the elegant structure of the wine.
Grilled lobster with herb butter
The wine's rich texture and warm aromas complement the sweet taste of lobster.
Goat cheese with honey and rosemary
The aromatic purity and lively acidity bring balance to the creamy and slightly sweet elements of this dish.
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Appellation | Puligny-Montrachet |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Michel Niellon |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2048 |
| Alcohol % | 12 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95+
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2048
The 2019 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru wafts from the glass with aromas of ripe yellow orchard fruit, clear honey, white flowers, toasted almonds and nutmeg. Full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's lively and concentrated, with a deep, enveloping core, racy acids and a long, precise finish.
It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Michel Niellon while this report was going to press. He must have been content, however, to leave the domaine in such good hands, as his son-in-law, Michel Coutoux, is routinely producing wines of impressively consistent quality and style. 2019 is another fine success, delivering beautifully balanced wines with plenty of concentration and cut. As readers may remember, house fingerprint here is distinctive, with a touch of toasty oak from Saint-Romain's Tonnellerie Gillet marking each cuvée and the wines dependably distinguishing themselves with lovely texture and concentration. This is a domaine in fine form today, and as I've written before, readers who have fallen out of touch with the wines are advised to reacquaint themselves with this excellent producer.
Published: Jan 14, 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(91-94)
From: 2017 White Burgundy: Quantity, Quality and Great Charm (Sep 2018)
(from a crop level of 48 hectoliters per hectare, according to Coutoux; two of the five barrels were new): Bright light-medium yellow. Aromas of lemon, tangerine and crushed rock are muted by an element of reduction. Silky, suave and intense on the palate; at another level of concentration from the premier crus at this address, with brisk mineral-driven acidity giving the wine a totally different texture and sharper definition than the rest of the Niellon '17s. Thick but not a bit heavy, with its impression of stuffing perfectly leavened by lemony lift. Finishes smooth and subtly long. (Incidentally, as I mentioned last year, Niellon pulled up his old Bâtard-Montrachet vines after the 2015 harvest and plans to replant in 2021, after allowing the parcel to remain fallow for six years.)
- By Stephen Tanzer on June 2018
Michel Coutoux, who manages this estate for his father-in-law Michel Niellon and shares winemaking and vineyard duties, described 2017 as "a big breath of oxygen after all the difficulties in 2016." The estate "made the limit" across the board, as its vineyards snapped back after the disastrous frost of 2016. Still, said Coutoux, the volumes were not excessive and the wines are "flattering and nicely balanced, with good fruit." He noted that acidity levels in the grapes fell during the heat of late August, with east- and southeast-facing vines on shallow soil more likely to suffer from a blockage of maturity, but that conditions were much more benign during the first week of September (the estate started harvesting on September 3). He also told me that Pinot Noir was changed more by the end-of-August rainfall as the Chardonnay berries affected by hydric stress did not swell as quickly.
Incidentally, back when Niellon made his wine in two tiny, cramped cellars under his house in the center of Chassagne-Montrachet, the end of the sugar fermentations could be tricky, as they took place in metal tanks. But in his new temperature-controlled facility on the south side of town, he's able to move the wines into barrels in the middle of the fermentations, giving them a dose of oxygen that helps finish the alcohols.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Domaine Michel Niellon is a winery located in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation in the Côte de Beaune region (Burgundy, France).
History of Domaine Michel Niellon
The Niellon family has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the 19th century when the family was founded by Michel Niellon's grandfather, Léon Niellon. In the 1960s, Michel Niellon took over the family business from his father, Marcel Niellon, and continued the tradition of producing exceptional Burgundian wines. The estate has six hectares of vineyards, mainly located in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation. The vineyards are located at different altitudes between 200 and 400 meters, which contributes to the unique character of their wines. Michel Niellon keeps it traditional. Many of their vineyards still contain vines planted by Marcel Niellon in 1926. When replanting is necessary, they use low yielding clones to ensure the grapes produced are highly concentrated and of superior quality.
Production by Michel Niellon
Domaine Michel Niellon is characterized by meticulous attention to detail. Both the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay are picked by hand and strictly selected for quality. The fermentation process is initiated using the natural yeasts present on the grape skins. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, with a portion of new wood (typically 15% to 30%). Malolactic conversion and Sur Lie also take place in these wooden barrels. Domaine Michel Niellon is known for producing high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Their icon, the Bâtard-Montrachet, is highly regarded. In addition, the Chassagne-Montrachet's of this product are known worldwide for their exceptional quality.
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