Domaine Blain-Gagnard

Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte-de-Beaune, Bourgogne, France

Very fine, perfectly balanced and expressive wines of elegance.

Domaine Blain-Gagnard was created in 1980 when Jean-Marc Blain married Claudine, the daughter of Jacques Gagnard. This Domaine produces both high quality reds and whites, however, it is the whites that have attracted the attention of the hedonists; their three grand crus of Le Montrachet, Criots-Batard-Montrachet and Batard-Montrachet in particular. There are 16 crus vinified from a total of a little more than eight hectares of vineyards.The eight premier crus are in Chassagne- Montrachet and Volnay (2 red). Chardonnay accounts for 55% of production with yields at 40-45hl/ha and less for the pinot noir. Jean-Marc pursues elegance and finesse in his wines rather than power and performs traditional vinification.

Careful selection of oak using 10-15% of new oak for the village and premier cru while the grand crus receive around 30%. Blain-Gagnard is one of only seven owners in the grand cru appellation of Criots-Batard-Montrachet, which is Stoney, south facing and considered one of the very bestfor whites. The Batard-Montrachet vineyard is less than half a hectare and yields the domaine just three barrels of wine. Jean-Marc Blain is a very astute, conscientious winemaker. These are very good value well made, delicious and good wines, as you’d expect.