2021 Domaine Jean-Charles Fagot, Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge “Vieilles-Vignes” Red Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, France.
The fresh, pretty ruby hued and elegant Jean-Charles Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles-Vignes is absolutely delicious and an incredible value, yes there are still some fabulous bargains to be found in Burgundy, and was a great find recently. A friend told me I had to try these wines and his advice was spot on with both the Rully Blanc and this beautiful old vine Chassagne-Montrachet Pinot Noir were very impressive with distinctive depth, even in a mediocre year and I can’t wait to try more of the lineup here. This 2021 Red Burgundy has a heavenly silken medium bodied palate with bright cherry, earthy plum, strawberry and red fruits, along with hints of sassafras, mineral, delicate smoky wood toast, tea spices and bergamot. Maybe not concentrated like 2020 or 2022, this wine is rewarding and maturing nicely with a fine balance, it drink well for 3 to 5 years with no great patience needed here. I highly recommend these wines, which haven’t see the huge price rises we’ve seen in recent years and still are flying under the radar, they are brought to the States by small importer Shiverick, so you’ll have to do some searching to find them all, but I think will be well worth the chase.
The Domaine Jean Charles Fagot, run by Restaurant owner and Vigneron Jean-Charles, who started making wine in 1989, has just about 3 hectares of estate owned vines, but though his contracts or leases, the range of wines he produces is rather wide. Lovers and fans the Côte d’Or may even know his restaurant Auberge du Vieux Vigneron which is noted for having a good range of wines on the list, sourced from all over the Burgundy region. Jean-Chales, who is actually the fifth generation to own vineyards and grow grapes, but the first to make wines under a domaine label and he has grown the operation to about 3,000 cases annually. The wines are made traditionally and not to be overt or showy, more to be enjoyed as part of a meal, but are still terroir driven and pedigreed, drinking with a non pretense nobility of form, as seen in Jean-Charles’ Rully Blanc and as mentioned in this rare Chassagne Rouge. The winery, just outside Chassagne-Montrachet, is located near some of the most prestigious vineyards in the Côte de Beaune on chalky clay and limestone soils with all vines, including these mature 55 year old vines, seeing sustainable farming. The wines are vinified naturally, utilizing oak large foudres instead of barriques and see at least 12-14 months of aging, which shows in the transparency and smooth texture here. The Rully Blanc is under $40 and this one is just a little more, but I suggest looking for both, especially if you like classic Burgundy.
($65 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive