White dry
White Wine – 100% ‘Chardonnay’
Jean-Noël Gagnard Les Caillerets Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2023 – a prestigious and highly limited-production white Burgundy, originating from one of the most coveted lieux-dit in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation. This parcel, awarded “Première Cuvée” status in 1855, is situated at the foot of Le Montrachet.
The bouquet reveals notes of ripe pear, sweet lemon marmalade, and orange blossom, complemented by delicate spices, freshly toasted nuts, and buttery brioche nuances. On the palate, it is complex, full-bodied, and mineral-driven, with bright citrus freshness, creamy smoothness, and a subtle salinity that lingers in a long, elegant finish.
The grapes are hand-harvested from stony, clay-limestone slopes with a south-eastern exposure, richly covered in Kimmeridgian fossils, which impart remarkable minerality and structure.
Fermentation and maturation take place in French oak barrels, with this cuvée being bottled later than all the estate’s other “1er Cru” wines, thanks to its structure and ageing potential.
Jean-Noël Gagnard Les Caillerets is the most precise and intense of the estate’s Chassagne-Montrachet wines, perfectly suited for extended cellaring.
Serve at 10–12 °C. This white wine pairs perfectly with chicken roast with creamy mushroom sauce, baked sea scallops with lemon butter, or aged Comté cheese.
Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard is located in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet and is renowned for its exceptional white wines made from ‘Chardonnay’. In 1989, Caroline L’Estimé took over the domaine from her father, Jean-Noël Gagnard, after completing her studies at a Paris business school. Her goal is to preserve the delicate character of ‘Chardonnay’, allowing the terroir to speak for itself.
The vineyards under Caroline’s care are farmed organically and according to biodynamic principles, while in the cellar she applies minimal-intervention methods. She avoids excessive use of new oak, does not employ reductive techniques, and rarely filters her wines. Remaining true to Chassagne traditions, the white wines are matured in neutral oak barrels for 18–20 months to preserve their natural aroma and structure. Since 2014, all 12.5 hectares of the family’s vineyards have been certified organic and are managed biodynamically.
Jean-Noël Gagnard wines stand out for their delicate aromas, refined structure, and pure ‘Chardonnay’ expression. They are an authentic reflection of Chassagne-Montrachet terroir and are suited for both early enjoyment and extended cellaring.
White wine – mineral and elegant, with notes of wild mushrooms, melted butter, dried herbs, and citrus fruits. The texture is rich yet balanced with freshness and harmony.
Red wine – although the domaine primarily focuses on whites, it also produces ‘Pinot Noir’, notable for its subtle red berry character, silky texture, and gentle tannins.
Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard owns numerous prestigious parcels in Chassagne-Montrachet, including:
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets – elegant, mineral, and long-lived ‘Chardonnay’.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jean – rich and complex, with delicate floral and honeyed aromas.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Boudrières – known for its full body and long, lingering finish.
The domaine also produces village-level wines that often surpass Premier Cru quality.
White wines are matured in neutral oak barrels for 18–20 months to retain as much natural aroma and structure as possible. Filtration is applied very sparingly. This approach ensures the wines are open and harmonious when young, yet they also possess excellent aging potential – the finest examples, particularly from Premier Cru sites, evolve beautifully over 10–15 years.
