Among the top echelons of white Burgundy, the Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 2018 holds its own with distinctive merit. Crafted in the revered terrains of Côte de Beaune, this French masterpiece embarks from prestigious producer, Michel Niellon. The vineyard, known for its high proportion of aged vines and meticulous 'lutte raisonnée' viticulture approach, offers rich and rare nuances in each bottle.

Introducing itself with an enchanting bouquet, the Les Chenevottes flaunts opulent aromas of citrus fruits, white flowers, and a subtle hint of toasted oak. On the palate, it foregrounds a rich, full-bodied experience with crystalline intensity, balanced by an invigorating acidity. As the wine ages, expect a complex evolution of nutty and mineral strains that amplify its inherent class. Oak-aged for 15 months before release, the Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 2018 is a testament to refined winemaking and rich terroir.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91)

Pale lemon and lime. There is a touch of citrus with the minor reduction. Firm at the finish which is no bad thing as there is a considerable volume of white orchard fruit which needs to be kept in place. Easy of access once again. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted Oct 2024.

The Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 2018 is a well-crafted whitewine that exemplifies the elegance and finesse of the Burgundy region's celebrated Chardonnay grape. Originating from the esteemed family Michel Niellon winery, this vintage exudes a harmonious array of flamboyant citrus notes intertwined with whispers of toasted almond and honey. Revered for its meticulous vinification process, the grapes experience a long, slow press and aged for up to 18 months in French oak barrels, adding pronounced depth and complexity impacting its trademark buttery texture.

Harvested from 40-year-old Chardonnay vines, each sip invites you to the stone-walled vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet where Michel Niellon's expertise has thrived since 1930. The Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 2018 blends tradition with modern intuition to create a wine of rich minerality and bright acidity, with a finish as long-lasting as its lineage. A masterclass of refined subtlety, this wine's outstanding quality truly redefines the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90)

A clear pale lemon. A pretty bouquet, more floral, without the sulphur reduction of the Bourgogne Blanc. Clean and even quite chiselled, pure white fruit, just a little heat behind, and some barrel toast. However, the core fruit is very attractive and has some muscle. Fair tension behind. Drink from 2025-2028. Tasted: October 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89)

Very pale colour. A fresh chiselled stony white fruit on the nose. Pure fresh apple and pear, quite concentrated, a little bit of citrus, middleweight with good persistence. Drink from 2026-2029. Tasted Oct 2024.

Vinous (91)

Complex, subtle nose combines lime, smoke, minerals, nuts and earth. A distinct step up in texture and concentration from the premier crus; fresh, nicely delineated and solidly structured. Classy and light on its feet. Finishes subtle and long, and not at all austere for a '99.

Wine Advocate (96)

There are five barrels worth of the 2017 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, a brilliant wine that unwinds in the glass with a complex bouquet of Meyer lemon, dried white flowers, beeswax, pear, toasted nuts and fresh mint. On the palate, it's full-bodied, satiny and strikingly concentrated, with a bright line of succulent acidity, a textural but weightless profile and a long, lingering finish.

Hailing from the distinguished appellation of Chevalier-Montrachet in Burgundy, France, the Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2018 is a true testament to Niellon’s winemaking prowess. Cultivated in French limestone-rich soils, this eloquent Chardonnay is a reflection of meticulously hand-harvested grapes, gentle pressing, and controlled fermentation in oak barrels, contributing to its emblematic white floral bouquet.

Borne from a 60-year-old vineyard, the wine distinctly embodies the land, offering a sublime balance between concentrated minerality and harmonious acidity. Its creamy texture and opulent fruit profile, marked by crisp green apple, ripe pear, and nuanced citrus undertones, enhance the wine’s overall complexity and depth. Michel Niellon's commitment to traditional Burgundian practices endows this Grand Cru with an authentic terroir-driven expression alongside excellent ageing potential.

Exquisite and refined, the Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2018 encapsulates the essence of its grand cru status, providing a wine drinking experience par excellence.

An exquisite embodiment of Burgundy's esteemed white wines, Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 is the pinnacle of skill and craftsmanship from the French vintner. Handpicked Chardonnay grapes from the 50-year-old Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru vineyard are patiently aged in French oak before undertaking a malolactic fermentation process, ensuring a perfectly balanced blend.

Born of the globally venerated Côte de Beaune region, the 2019 vintage captures the dynamism between soil and grape, crafting a wine that touts vibrant acidity harmonising with endearing richness. Its bouquet is an oscillation of toasted nuts, stone fruit and a dilatory hint of mandarin, succeeding on the palate with an enduring mineral finish.

The producer, Michel Niellon, who was once described in "The Wine Advocate" as a ‘master of Chassagne-Montrachet’, has orchestrated this exemplary bottle with his famed meticulous precision and unwavering commitment to quality. The Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 is indeed an esteemed addition to any discerning collector's cellar.

Burghound (97)

Don't miss! An overtly floral-suffused nose speaks of the ripe essence of white peach, passion fruit, anise, exotic Asian-style tea and in particularly jasmine, tangerine rind and a hint of wood influence. There is exceptionally good density to the palate staining big-bodied flavors that exhibit impressive power on the muscular and overtly mineral-driven finale which offers massive length on the ever-so-slightly warm finale. This very serious effort is a classic Chevalier of class and grace and it's also a wine that I could still taste 24 hours later. It will be hard to find but worth it as this is one of the wines of the vintage. In a word, brilliant. 2032+

Decanter (98)

A wine of intense concentration, tension and focus, even in the warm conditions of 2022. Aroma notes of ripe apple, peach and quince, then the volume and density you'd expect from 2022, but it's well balanced by the fresh acidity that draws it to a lingering finish. Grapes from Niellon’s plot of old vines are fermented on native yeasts in 40% new cask. This wine is among the best from this vintage and will make old bones if you are so inclined.

Decanter (96)

Chevalier-Montrachet 2023 from Domaine Michel Niellon is among the luminous successes of the vintage. The initial restraint on the nose gives way on the palate to aromas of ripe pear and quince with a hint of marzipan and fresh white flowers. The texture is generous, almost voluptuous, but there is a balance and elegance that hint at its noble origins. The grapes are from 0.22ha of 60-year-old vines at the base of the slope near the Leflaive parcel. Ideally, one would wait 10 years for this wine to show its full potential.

Vinous (88)

The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Village, matured in 30% new oak, is vibrant and fresh on the nose: black cherries, strawberry pastille and just a touch of violet petal. The palate is a little oaky on the entry. Good depth, quite dense for a Chambolle, touches of blood orange and pain d'épices towards the finish. Give it a couple of years in bottle.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-91)

Mainly Fouchères plus Echanges, Combottes and Maladière, overall an old vine cuvée with 60-80 year old vines. An even fresh purple. A touch of oak and relatively ripe strawberry-raspberry fruit, very much red fruit on the palate, with just enough acidity. An attractive, accessible Chambolle. Drink from 2028-2032. Tasted Dec 2024.

Really surprisingly red-fruit dominated and sweetly spicy. A beauty, much more feminine than the Echezeaux but still carrying itself with a lot of structure and style. From two plots within the Cru alongside the famous Chateau. Again this is even more impressive than the Grivot.

Vinous (89)

The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is quite deep in colour. It has a slightly reduced bouquet with ample blackberry and raspberry fruit, well integrated oak, though it is missing the Pinoté character I look for. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and pleasant dark berry fruit laced with brown spices. It feels just a little short on the finish, overall a decent Clos de Vougeot that would show more finesse in a cooler growing season. - Neal Martin