Domaine Changarnier, Monthélie `Pierrefitte`
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DC502B20 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Domaine Changarnier was founded by the Changarnier family in 1720, 69 years before the French Revolution. The family recently unearthed documents showing that one of their ancestors was born in Monthélie in 1629 and worked in the fields for the monks of the Abbey of Citeaux. Today, Domaine Changarnier is owned by brothers Claude and Antoine Changarnier and managed by the esteemed Fabrice Groussin since 2015.
Fabrice runs the 4.5-hectare domaine organically and biodynamically, producing 25,000 bottles from 10 different appellations. Domaine Changarnier’s white wines are fresh and elegant, utilising 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 organically farmed, younger vines with an average age of 20 years. It is partly aged in Austrian oak barrels (15% new) and amphora, representing 20% of the total blend. The resulting wine displays vibrant citrus fruit and fresh acidity, making it both immediately accessible and suitable for ageing. The Monthélie ‘le Clos’ is a classic Côte de Beaune Chardonnay, sourced from a single plot which used to be the domaine’s garden. The final wine is concentrated, yet balanced by excellent acidity and is aged in 228L barrels to add complexity and weight.
The Monthélie ‘Pierrefitte’ hails from a ‘lieu-dit’ of Pinot Noir, situated at the top of the hill, 325 metres above sea level. The final wine is made using 15% whole-bunch fermentation and 20% new oak, creating lovely depth and power, with abundant ref fruit complemented by lively acidity on the finish. The Monthélie Premier Cru ‘Meix Bataille’ is planted on deeper limestone clay soils, producing wines with greater richness than the chalky marl of ‘Pierrefitte’. Fabrice doesn’t use any whole bunches for the ‘Meix Bataill’, which is aged in 20% new oak for 12 months.
Vineyards
The 'Pierrefitte' lieu-dit is located to the east of the village of Monthélie, close to the border with Volnay. Domaine Changarnier own a 0.46-hectare plot of 75-year-old Pinot Noir vines here, planted on chalky marl soils which give the wines a marked mineral character. The vineyard sits at 325 metres above sea level and the vines have a south, south-west exposure. The vineyard is farmed sustainably and the wine is certified organic.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage commenced with ideal winter conditions - cold and wet and perfect for sap descent and pruning. Spring saw perfect climatic conditions that resulted in a healthy vegetative stage. Temperatures soared by summer and the region encountered virtually no rainfall at all, resulting in some of the vines suffering from heat stress. However, regular winds refreshed the vines and prevented the development of diseases. The 2020 wines offer good levels of ripeness and vibrant acidity.
Vinification
All of the fruit was harvested by hand into small, 11kg crates. Upon arrival at the winery 50% of the grapes were destemmed and underwent a cool pre-fermentation maceration for five days. Fermentation took place in concrete vats with 50% whole bunch and was soft and slow, lasting 20 days, with only a few very gentle punch downs during the ferment so as not to over extract. Following fermentation, only a very small portion of SO2 was added, before the wine was racked to used French oak barrels, where it was aged 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 intense aromas of black cherry and blackberry with hints of toast, vanilla and black pepper. Elegant and fresh on the palate, with a core of black fruit and round, silky tannins. The chalky minerality leads to a bright, lifted finished.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domaine Changarnier | Monthélie 1er Cru `Meix Bataille` | DC501 | R | ||
| Monthélie Villages Blanc | DC503 | W | |||
| Monthélie Villages Blanc `Le Clos` | DC504 | W | Factsheet |