Montrachet Grand Cru: five grand cru vineyards between Puligny and Chassagne
On the slope between the villages of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune lie five grand cru vineyards that together stand at the top of white Burgundy: Le Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. All five make white wine from Chardonnay. The name is old. Wine from "Mont Rachaz" is recorded as early as 1252, a reference to a bare, stony hill where little but vines would grow.
Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet were recognised as grand cru appellations in 1937, and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet followed in 1939. This page brings all five together. Village and premier cru wines from the two communes have their own pages: Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.
Le Montrachet, Bâtard and Chevalier: how the five vineyards differ
Le Montrachet covers about eight hectares, split almost evenly between the two villages. Wine from the Chassagne side is often labelled "Le Montrachet", while the Puligny side usually writes just "Montrachet". It is the same grand cru. The wines are dense and long with a mineral core, and they need time in the cellar to show everything.
Chevalier-Montrachet (about seven hectares) sits directly above Montrachet, entirely in Puligny and up to around 300 metres. The soil is thin and stony, and the wines are often the tautest and most elegant of the five.
Bâtard-Montrachet is the largest at about eleven hectares. It lies directly below Montrachet and is shared by both villages. The soil is deeper with more clay, which gives a rounder, fuller style.
Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet (under four hectares, wholly in Puligny) and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet (about one and a half hectares, wholly in Chassagne) are Bâtard's two small neighbours. Criots is the smallest of all five.
The producers: from Domaine Leflaive to Ramonet
In Puligny, Domaine Leflaive and Etienne Sauzet are the big names, both with Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. From Chassagne comes Ramonet, with Montrachet, Bâtard and Chevalier. Jean Chartron makes the Chevalier-Montrachet Clos des Chevaliers, Domaine de la Vougeraie works several of the vineyards, and Louis Jadot's Chevalier-Montrachet Les Demoiselles is a classic.
From Le Montrachet itself you will find Bouchard Père & Fils, Louis Jadot and Ramonet among others. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti also owns a small parcel in Montrachet, and its wine is one of the rarest white Burgundies of all.
Montrachet wine with food
A young grand cru Chardonnay from Montrachet can be drunk, but the wine only truly opens up with age. Serve it at 12 to 14 degrees, and decant it when young. Lobster, turbot, scallops and veal or chicken in a cream sauce are the classic partners. Bâtard's fuller style handles richer dishes, while Chevalier suits purer fish and shellfish. If you want to explore more white Burgundy, the neighbouring village of Meursault is a good next step.
Montrachet FAQ
What is the difference between Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet?
Montrachet is a single grand cru vineyard. Puligny-Montrachet is the village and its appellation for village and premier cru wine. The village simply carries the grand cru's name in its own.
Which grape is used in Montrachet wine?
Chardonnay. All five Montrachet grand cru vineyards make white wine.
Are Le Montrachet and Montrachet the same?
Yes. The Chassagne side of the vineyard usually puts "Le Montrachet" on the label, the Puligny side "Montrachet".
How long can a Montrachet grand cru age?
It depends on vintage and producer, but most benefit from several years of cellaring, and the best can develop for decades. Bâtard is often a little more approachable young than Chevalier and Le Montrachet.