Philippe Pacalet, Monthélie 1er Cru Clos Gauthey 2020

Philippe Pacalet Monthélie 1er Cru Clos Gauthey 2020 is a refined white Burgundy that showcases Chardonnay in a vibrant, terroir-focused style. Crafted by one of Burgundy’s most respected négociant-vignerons, it offers the depth and character of a premier cru at a remarkably elegant, drinkable profile. This single-vineyard bottling from Clos Gauthey highlights Pacalet’s hallmark: pure fruit, minimal intervention, and a crystal-clear expression of place.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Clos Gauthey shows a pale to medium lemon hue with youthful brightness and a touch of green reflection. The nose is expressive yet precise, opening with fresh lemon zest, crisp green apple, and white peach, layered with notes of crushed chalk, lightly toasted hazelnut, and a hint of white flowers and beurre noisette. On the palate, this Monthélie 1er Cru is tense and energetic, with a vivid thread of acidity carrying citrus, orchard fruit, and subtle stone-fruit richness. The mid-palate shows good volume and a fine, saline minerality, complemented by discreet oak influence and a touch of creamy texture. The finish is long, linear, and mouthwatering, with lingering notes of citrus peel and wet stone. While already approachable, the structure and acidity suggest a solid aging potential of 6–10 years from vintage, during which it will gain additional complexity, nuttiness, and depth.

Production
Clos Gauthey is a premier cru site in Monthélie, lying between Meursault and Volnay and sharing their mix of limestone-rich soils with clay and small stones that naturally favor refined, mineral-driven Chardonnay. Philippe Pacalet works with organically farmed, old-vine parcels, harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve freshness and balance. In the cellar, he follows a low-intervention philosophy: whole berries are gently pressed, native yeasts conduct fermentation, and the wine is aged in mostly used French oak barrels to avoid overt wood influence. Minimal fining and filtration, along with a restrained use of sulfur, allow the Clos Gauthey terroir to shine through with clarity and precision.

Food & Serving
This Monthélie 1er Cru Chardonnay pairs beautifully with refined seafood and elegant poultry dishes. Think seared scallops, turbot with beurre blanc, lobster, roast chicken with morels, or creamy mushroom pastas, as well as semi-soft cheeses like Comté or aged Gruyère. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to highlight its freshness and mineral edge while allowing the aromatics to open. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes, especially in its youth, can help the wine unfurl its more complex notes of nuts, spice, and flint.

Producer
Philippe Pacalet is one of Burgundy’s most admired artisan producers, known for his time as régisseur at Domaine Prieuré Roch and for championing a natural, terroir-driven style of winemaking. Working as a micro-négociant, he carefully selects old-vine parcels from top sites across the Côte d’Or, farming organically and vinifying with minimal intervention to foreground purity and place. Pacalet’s wines are highly sought after by Burgundy enthusiasts for their energy, finesse, and transparency, and he has played a key role in elevating the reputation of less-heralded appellations like Monthélie by showing just how nuanced and ageworthy they can be in the right hands.

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