Varietal

100% Chardonnay.

Tasting notes

Pale golden colour with green tints.
Intense and slightly smoked nose with reminiscent of citrus zest and linden-tree.
Fresh, mineral attack marked by notes of toats and white peach, developing into a very distinctive finish which is mineral and slightly smoky.

Food and wine pairing

A perfect match with grilled gambas and blanquette de veau (blanquette of veal)

Serving suggestions

Serve ideally at a temperature of 14°C (57°F.)

Ageing potential

4 to 6 years after its vintage.

Origin

On the left bank of the Serein, nestled between the "Bois des Lys" and "Broques de Biques", the 37 hectares of the "Montmains" climate rise above a hillside at a low altitude. The grapes from which this cuvée comes come from a plot known for its marly profile and another cultivated on stonier soil.

"Montmains" brings together, under its flag-bearer banner, itself as well as the Climats "Butteaux" et "Forêts". Together they cover approximately 118 hectares. This long climate is oriented South-East/North-East and benefits from the sun in the early hours of the day.

From 1537, several spellings were used to designate this Climate, such as "Montméen" or "Montmoyen". Montmains simply designates the mountain which is at an intermediate altitude, between two higher coasts.

Vinification and maturing

- Grapes and must delivered.
- Long pneumatic pressing
- Static cold settling of the musts
- Alcoholic fermentation started in stainless steel vats with the addition of selected yeasts
- After 3 days, around 25% of the juice is drawn off and transferred into fine-grained wooden barrels for the continuation of the fermentation process.
- For the wine remaining in the stainless steel vats, fermentation for 7 to 10 days at controlled temperatures (18 to 20°C) to conserve as much fruit as possible.
- 100% malolactic fermentation
- Matured on the lees for 6 months

Vintage : 2013

Vintage 2013 was characterised by unpredictable and irregular weather patterns which significantly affected the growth of the grapes. Springtime was dull and cloudy with alternating periods of mild and cold weather as well as heavy rainfall. The milder weather in June and the Summer temperatures in July enabled the vineyard to help catch up the growth cycle, with flowering occurring in early July Rain and cold conditions returned in September, slowing the maturation of the grapes and provoking the development of diseases such as “botrytis”, requiring extra care and attention in the vineyards The grape harvest commenced on the 30th September with sunny conditions and lasted two weeks with alternating rain and dry, sunny weather. Despite a shortfall in quantity, the quality of the musts were good and the first tastings after fermentation showed that the problems caused by the weather were a distant memory, with the prediction of a fine, successful vintage…