2020 Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet & Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Clos de Montceau

Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet and the reputation of Saint-Aubin

Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet is one of the most respected producers in Saint-Aubin. The estate is run by brothers Benoît and Jean-Baptiste, who have transformed the family winery into one of the appellation's benchmarks. The house is known for precise, pure, and refined wines, with terroir expression at the forefront. The fact that Saint-Aubin has risen sharply in popularity in recent years is partly due to producers like Bachelet, who consistently offer quality and produce wines that effortlessly stand comparison with larger neighboring villages.

The estate's style is classic, mineral, and restrained, with great attention to detail in both the vineyard and the cellar. The focus is on aging on the lees, limited bâtonnage, and a careful use of wood, resulting in wines with tension, length, and refinement. Within their extensive range, Clos de Montceau is one of the wines that gains depth every year.

The terroir of Clos de Montceau 1er Cru

Clos de Montceau is a Premier Cru vineyard on the limestone slopes of Saint-Aubin. The location is cool enough to preserve freshness, yet receives sufficient sun to allow the grapes to ripen fully. The soil consists of a mixture of limestone and clay, resulting in a perfect balance of structure, tension, and aromatic finesse.

The 2020 vintage was only the seventh harvest from relatively young vines on this plot. Yet the wine already displays remarkable concentration, thanks to the combination of intense sunshine and a healthy, vibrant soil. Saint-Aubin is often regarded as one of the best-kept secrets of the Côte de Beaune, and Clos de Montceau confirms this with a style that showcases both luxury and precision.

The Chardonnay grape in the 2020 vintage

Chardonnay thrives exceptionally well on the calcareous soils of Saint-Aubin. Here, the grape retains its fresh acidity while simultaneously developing an aromatic richness that appears slightly riper than in cooler years. The 2020 vintage produced full, pure aromas supported by lively acidity. Ripe pear, white flowers, and subtle spiciness come to the fore, yet always with the mineral tension so characteristic of Saint-Aubin.

Because the vines are still relatively young, the fruit is expressive and open. At the same time, the structure reveals that this vineyard will gain complexity in the coming years. For lovers of lively Chardonnay, this is a vintage with a distinct, energetic profile.

Vinification and aging in the style of Domaine Bachelet

The estate employs a precise and restrained vinification model. The harvest is performed entirely by hand, and the grapes are carefully pressed. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, only a small proportion of which are new. This provides texture and depth without the wood dominating. Aging on the lees is deliberately kept gentle to preserve the wine's finesse and tension.

In 2020, too, minimal intervention was chosen, allowing the character of Clos de Montceau to clearly express itself. The combination of calcareous soil, young yet vital vines, and the precise style of the estate makes this wine particularly expressive and elegant.

Color, aroma and taste of Clos de Montceau 2020

The color is light golden yellow with bright reflections. On the nose, the wine opens with aromas of pear, white flowers, and fresh bread. Beneath these lie subtle notes of nutmeg and a youthful, reductive tension that slowly opens with air. The scent is pure, precise, and elegant.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, round and refined, with a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and lively acidity. The mouthfeel is seamless and pure, with notes of pear, citrus, light spiciness, and a chalky minerality. The structure is elegant yet firm enough to give the wine a long future. The finish is fresh, mineral, and surprisingly long for a Premier Cru from Saint-Aubin.

Order wines from Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet online?

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking.

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