Vincent Dancer, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy

An introduction to Vincent Dancer, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy

Chevalier-Montrachet is a Chardonnay only Grand Cru appellation, and one of the most southerly Grand Crus of the Côte de Beaune situated directly above the Puligny section of le Montrachet. Domaine Vincent Dancer’s Chevalier-Montrachet comes from a tiny 0.1ha parcel of old vines, planted in 1952. Situated at the highest part of the vineyard at the same altitude as Le Montrachet, these are the oldest vines of the domaine, producing tiny yields of concentrated berries. The limestone-marl soils here are slightly richer in clay, imbuing a distinct mineral tension to the wine. Dancer only makes a single barrel of this highly sought-after Chardonnay.

Performance

Understanding Vincent Dancer, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy

The sustainably farmed, hand-harvested fruit from organic vineyards is vinified with a non-interventionist approach. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels with indigenous yeasts without bâtonnage, with malolactic fermentation occurring naturally. As usual with the winemaker, no sulfur is added. After a year, the wine is transferred to stainless steel tanks for a further six months to settle before bottling unfined and unfiltered. This non-interventionist approach ensures that each cuvée is truly a reflection of its terroir. Bright and lean with expressive fruit and a notable minerality, these wines are approachable early but will age beautifully over the next ten years. Wine critic William Kelley (The Wine Advocate) singled out Vincent Dancer’s 2016 Chevalier-Montrachet as ‘one of the white Burgundies of the vintage’.

Price Index