Louis Jadot Le Montrachet 2006

At the summit of the slope where the communes of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet converge is a cluster of vineyards comprised of five of the six greatest white wine microclimates of Burgundy. They all share the name of the greatest among them, Le Montrachet, which like Bâtard-Montrachet, lies partly in Puligny and partly in Chassagne. Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet lie within Puligny; Criots-Bâtard Montrachet lies within Chassagne. The collective surface area of these grands crus totals only 80 acres.

The Le Montrachet vineyard lies nearly at the crest of its slope, occupying just under 10 acres on each side of the border dividing Puligny and Chassagne. Its name "Mont Rachat", from the Latin "Mons Rachisensis," means literally a "bald hilltop," and the soil is so poor and stony that it does not even support underbrush. The subsoil, however, is extremely chalky, perfectly drained, and with a south-south-eastern exposition that catches the sun's rays from dawn to dusk. These factors contribute to an exceptional level of organic complexity, concentration and maturity in the fruit.

For the three centuries preceding the French Revolution, nearly all of Le Montrachet belonged to the Clermond-Montoizon family; the present vineyard name dates from 1482. Since the end of the 1700s, Le Montrachet has become divided among a dozen or so proprietors: the largest solely-owned parcel consists of approximately five acres, but most are far smaller. For its scarcity as well as for its rare opulence, Le Montrachet is justifiably one of the most costly and sought-after wines in the world.

Maison Louis Jadot practices a traditional vinification, primarily in new oak casks, to underscore and highlight the unique qualities inherent in the fruit of this great vineyard. Le Montrachet is rarely described in any but superlative terms. Its incomparable depth, intense fruit elegance, and layers of complex, textural richness, reflected in a sublime bouquet reminiscent of honey and toast, culminate in a finish of haunting persistence.

This most celebrated of white Burgundies is a synthesis of density and elegance, marked by intense ripe pear and stone fruit flavors, underscored by mineral, spice and grilled nut tones set in a finely honed structure ending in a subtle, honeyed texture.