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SAINT-BRIS 2024

ESPRIT DE MONTAIGU

click on one of the vintages below for further information
2023   2024  

Varietal

This wine called “L’Aubaine” (The Windfall) is made from Sauvignon Blanc, a notable exception in Burgundy.

Tasting notes

A lovely golden colour.

Intense aromas of lychee, blackcurrant and exotic fruit.

Luscious and tangy on the palate, with aromas of yellow-fleshed fruit such as pineapple and a refreshing touch of minerality.

Food and wine pairing

Drink as an aperitif or with oysters, seafood and fish. Also perfect with white meats.

Serving suggestions

Serve ideally at 10-12°C. (50-54°F.).

Ageing potential

A pleasant, lively wine that can be drunk now and kept for 3 to 4 years in good conditions.

Origin

At the heart of the Auxerrois region, the old wine-producing village of Saint-Bris-Le-Vineux is known for its spectacular underground quarries at Bailly which once supplied stones for construction in Auxerre and Paris. Today it is the Mecca of Crémant de Bourgogne. The only Sauvignon grapes in Burgundy, once called “épicier”, are harvested here. The wine is typical of its varietal and marks the transition between the wines from the Loire and those from Burgundy.

On the left bank of the Serein River, 15 kilometres south-east of Chablis, the vines grow on clay-limestone soils.

Hugues de Montaigu, Bishop of Auxerre, was one of the pioneers of the Cistercian tradition in Chablis. At that time, the monks were already working on the creation of their white vin de garde, synonymous with high quality. Their heritage is reflected in every wine in our MONTAIGU collection.

Vinification and maturing

- Harvested must
- Static settling
- Fermentation for 7 to 10 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (18 to 20°C) to bring out all the fruit and character of the Sauvignon grape variety.
- 100% malolactic fermentation
- Aged on lees for 4 months to add complexity and enrich the wine

Vintage : 2024

The year 2024 in Chablis was marked by exceptionally wet weather, with rainfall exceeding the average by around 50%. From March onwards, the region suffered flooding due to the Serein river bursting its banks and record rainfall, followed by spring frosts in an already waterlogged environment. Hail also affected the vineyards, particularly on 1 May: nearly 2,000 hectares were partially or totally impacted. Flowering took place in unstable conditions, leading to coulure and millerandage, while mildew, encouraged by the humidity, weighed on the potential yield. The harvest began at the end of September, with considerable variation between plots. Despite these challenges, the first juices reveal a beautiful Chablis character, with marked tension, assertive minerality and invigorating aromas of fresh white fruit and citrus.

Awards

Vinalies France - Gold medal - March 2026