Domaine Changarnier, Monthélie 1er Cru `Meix Bataille`
Vintage: 2023
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DC501B23 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Domaine Changarnier is located in the heart of Monthélie, a village sandwiched between Volnay and Meursault. Brothers Claude and Antoine Changarnier, whose family have owned the domaine since 1720, have been integral to establishing the domaine’s modern reputation since taking over in 2004.
Domaine Changarnier’s five-hectares of vines have been certified organic since 2019 with all vineyard operations carried out manually and horses used to plough the vineyards and prevent soil compaction. According to Claude, this sustainable approach is key to preserving the signature freshness of the domaine’s wines. The whites are mineral and elegant, made with just 10 - 20% new oak and larger foudres to ensure a lovely texture that emphasises the site rather than the barrel maker. Their red wines are equally refined, with grainy tannins and a lovely balance.
Domaine Changarnier’s Monthélie Villages Blanc is sourced from their two parcels of 25-year-old vines planted on white clay soils. It is partially fermented in sandstone amphorae (20%) before ageing in a combination of these, 500-litre barrels and Stockinger foudres. The resulting wine displays vibrant citrus fruit and fresh acidity, making it both immediately accessible and suitable for ageing. The Monthélie ‘Le Clos’ hails from a walled plot which used to be the domaine’s garden. Fermented and aged in used oak and sandstone amphorae, this wine balances lemony acidity with a generous richness and could easily be mistaken for a Meursault.
The Monthélie ‘Pierrefitte’ hails from a steep lieu-dit just across the border from Volnay 1er Cru ‘Clos des Chênes’ at 325 metres elevation on white clay soils. 30% whole bunch and very gentle extraction during the ferment allow the sense of place of this remarkable site to shine through and produces a wine defined by lovely freshness, crunchy red fruit character and velvety tannins. The Monthélie 1er Cru ‘Meix Bataille’ comes from 45-year-old vines planted on deeper limestone clay soils, resulting in a wine with greater richness and power, more akin to a Pommard.
Vineyards
The fruit for Monthélie 1er Cru `Meix Batille` is sourced from a small block of 35-year-old Pinot Noir vines located on south-facing slopes at 200 metres above sea level. The soils are deep and predominantly clay and limestone, and this premier cru site is well known for its powerful wines that have strong tannic structure and spicy notes.
Vintage
In 2023, the winter was milder than average. However, the alternation of warmer and colder days caused a slight delay in the start of the vegetative cycle, which spanned the first two weeks of April. With excellent climatic conditions at the beginning of May, the vine grew at a steady pace. Flowering took place at the beginning of June, predicting a harvest in early September. The grape output was generous, and the harvest volume was promising. July was very unstable, and two hail episodes in mid-July caused some very localized damage. The ripening took place in very hot and sunny weather. The grapes reached maturity from the beginning of September and the harvest ended at the end of the month. Careful sorting in the vineyard and in the winery was often necessary to bring in the grapes in the best condition. Overall, 2023 was a plentiful vintage of excellent quality, with great maturity and powerful and balanced aromatics.
Vinification
All of the fruit was harvested by hand into small, 11kg crates. 80% of the grapes were destemmed and underwent a pre-fermentation maceration at a cool temperature for five days. Fermentation was soft and slow, lasting 20 days, with gentle pump overs performed in the first few days, and two punch downs performed during mid-fermentation. For the final five days of fermentation, the tanks were sealed and kept at 28°C, to extract maximum flavour and tannin. Only a very small portion of SO2 was added, before the wine was racked to French oak barrels, of which 25% was new, where it remained for one year. It spent three months in tank before it was lightly filtered and bottled.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Deep ruby red in colour, the nose displays rich and complex aromas of black cherry, black pepper and caramel notes. The richest wine produced in Monthélie, it is similar to Pommard in style. Full-bodied on the palate with ripe black fruit and smooth tannins, culminating in a wonderfully fresh and long finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domaine Changarnier | Monthélie `Pierrefitte` | DC502 | R | Factsheet | |
| Monthélie Blanc | DC503 | W | |||
| Monthélie Blanc `Le Clos` | DC504 | W | Factsheet |