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 Saint-Aubin's most respected producers. The estate is run by brothers Benoît and Jean-Baptiste, who have transformed the family estate into one of the appellation's benchmarks. The estate is known for precise, pure, and refined wines that prioritize terroir expression. Saint-Aubin's surge in popularity in recent years is partly due to producers like Bachelet, who consistently deliver quality and produce wines that easily stand comparison with larger neighboring villages.

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

The terroir of Clos de Montceau 1er Cru

Clos de Montceau is a Premier Cru vineyard on the chalky slopes of Saint-Aubin. The location is cool enough to maintain freshness, yet receives sufficient sun to fully ripen the grapes. 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 shows remarkable concentration, thanks to the combination of intense sunshine and healthy, vibrant soil. Saint-Aubin is often considered one of the Côte de Beaune's best-kept secrets, and Clos de Montceau confirms this with a style that displays both luxury and precision.

The Chardonnay grape in the 2020 vintage

Chardonnay thrives in the chalky soils of Saint-Aubin. Here, the grape retains its fresh acidity while simultaneously developing a rich aromatic richness that is slightly riper than in cooler years. The 2020 vintage produced full, clean aromas, supported by lively acidity. Ripe pear, white flowers, and subtle spice emerge, 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 in complexity in the coming years. For lovers of lively Chardonnay, this is a vintage with a distinct, energetic profile.

Vinification and maturation in the style of Domaine Bachelet

The estate employs a precise and restrained winemaking method. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, and the grapes are carefully pressed. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, only a small portion of which are new. This creates texture and depth without the wood dominating the wine. Maturation on the lees is deliberately kept calm to preserve the wine's finesse and tension.

Minimal intervention was again chosen in 2020, allowing the character of Clos de Montceau to clearly shine through. The combination of chalky soil, young but vigorous vines, and the estate's precise style makes this wine exceptionally 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. Underneath lie subtle notes of nutmeg and a youthful, reductive tension that slowly unfolds with air. The aroma 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, a light spice, and a chalky minerality. The structure is elegant yet firm enough to give the wine a long life. The finish is fresh, mineral, and surprisingly long for a Saint-Aubin Premier Cru.

Maturation potential and development

Clos de Montceau 2020 can already be enjoyed for its pure fruit and elegant structure, but the wine will gain further depth in the coming years. The combination of tension, freshness, and texture gives the wine ageing potential until at least 2045. As the years pass, brioche, hazelnut, and honeyed notes will become more pronounced, while the mineral core remains.

Would you like to order wines from Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet 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 this information 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, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking.

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