Sipping Your Way Through December—Day 11

Welcome to the 11th installment of The Wine Chef’s December “Advent Calendar” wine series.

Domaine du Cellier aux Moines Montagny Les Charmelottes Premier Cru 2023

Pop the cork on this white wine from Burgundy, and it immediately shows its charm. The aromas are bright and fresh: crisp apple, lemon zest, and citrus blossom. On the palate, lively acidity and saline minerality keep everything lifted, while a soft, creamy texture adds balance and richness.

Les Charmelottes (also known as Chaumelottes) refers to a “rocky plateau.” The fruit comes from old vines planted in 1939, whose roots grow deep in limestone—the region’s signature rocky soil that brings tension and finesse to the wines.

Montagny is one of Burgundy’s best-kept secrets. Located at the farthest south end of the Côte Chalonnaise, it consists mainly of Premier Cru vineyards that produce exclusively white wine.

The estate itself has a story worth telling. In 2004, Philippe Pascal, a former LVMH executive, bought the property and brought on winemaker Guillaume Marko, whose résumé includes time at two revered Bourgogne properties: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Arnoux-Lachaux. Together, they shifted the estate to organic and biodynamic farming and built a gentle, gravity-flow cellar that respects the fruit.

When I first met Philippe, it was via FaceTime during Covid. He took me through the centuries-old cellars built by Cistercian monks in 1130, while outlining his vision to bring the domaine back to its full potential.

I wrote about my conversation with Philippe on Grape Collective:

For Burgundy lovers, this bottle offers pedigree without the Côte de Beaune sticker shock. It’s a treasure that rewards anyone willing to look beyond the more famous names.

Purchase the wine at wineexpress.com, firstbottlewines.com, and hillsidevineyards.com.