Brilliant Chassagne-Montrachet under $50?!

Microphone back to Maison Champy’s trusted vigneron Dimitri Bazas who has been at the helm for decades and he was instrumental in the contemporary upsurge in quality. “2018 was extraordinary” he says, adding that it was so for them across the board: “red, white, quality, quantity – that’s why I say it’s a great and special vintage.”

Special vintage indeed. As Wine Spectator says one that produced “opulent, open and soft whites; the best versions have vibrant structures to age short term.” Worth every bit of the original $80 price.

At $49 though? Grab by the case if value Burgundies are your thing, they are true unicorns these days.

No reviews or ratings on this vintage, but Wine Enthusiast nails the style for its raving notes on the 2017: “This house, one of the oldest in Burgundy, is producing some inspired wines. This crisp bottling shows potential balance between the fresh citrus fruit and the wood aging. The result will be a ripe wine hinting at minerality.” Similarly, James Suckling adds “If you like elegant Chardonnay with some oak, this is for you. Very fresh acidity, helping it to carry the generous body.”

How about Burghound the harshest critic of all? He confirms “this is really quite a good Chassagne villages.”

Lemon oil, green apples, and flinty limestone define the perfume. The palate is well balanced with fine detail, very pure and racy with gorgeous orange pith and apricot notes. A kiss of new oak in the form of vanillin lends depth and weight to the delicious and generous finish. We wrapped some diver scallops up with fine bacon, skewered, and quickly seared them well on a griddle, then popped one of these… living the dream!

This too won’t last.