Roger Belland Clos Pitois Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2023

The domaine is now in the hands of the sixth generation, having been a family-owned concern since 1839. As well as championing lesser-known climats and premiers crus, Domaine Belland vinify grapes from some of the most celebrated appellations in the whole of Burgundy – among them, this Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru. Clos Pitois’s desirable mid-slope location means that it achieves a very high level of ripeness – so much so, in fact, that, unusually for Chassagne-Montrachet, it produces red wines from Pinot Noir as well as white. In keeping with the Belland philosophy, the vineyard is co-planted with grass for the environmental benefits this brings, and chemicals are eschewed as much as possible during the grape-growing process. In the cellar, meanwhile, a low-temperature fermentation is carried out in French oak barrels, followed by malolactic conversion and a 12-month period of maturation, also in French oak.

Upon pouring, the wine will show a pale lemon colour with brilliant gold highlights. Aromas of acacia flower, lemon peel, fresh peach, pear and apple pie will foreshadow an intense yet balanced palate with ripe stone fruit and a wonderful minerality; the finish is long and clean. Drink now, or keep to 2035 to discover tertiary flavours of dried fruit, chanterelle mushroom and aged Comte cheese. An unmissable cellar treasure, Roger Belland’s Clos Pitois will delight the most discerning of wine lovers.