Chassagne-Montrachet Albert Bichot 1988

Lot presentation

Chassagne-Montrachet Albert Bichot 1988

The wine

This leading Côte de Beaune appellation is renowned for producing prestigious red wines. The appellation's 300 hectares stretch between the communes of Remigny and Chassagne-Montrachet, between 220 and 325 metres above sea level. The Pinot Noir vines grow on clay and marl soils and enjoy ideal exposure. In the cellar, the grapes ferment in conical oak vats for 20 to 25 days. Then, the wine is matured in oak barrels for 14 to 16 months.
The nose is marked by aromas of ripe red fruit combined with woody and spicy notes. On the palate, the silky tannins are perfectly balanced by a fine minerality typical of the terroir, leading to a delicious, lingering finish. This superb Pinot Noir can be enjoyed young. It will also reveal a more refined range of aromas after two or three years' cellaring.

When visiting Maison Albert Bichot, one is naturally inclined toward admiration even before tasting the wines! Mostly, on account of two reasons: the open, direct and humorous personality of Albéric Bichot – whose deep knowledge of Burgundian terroirs and people is remarkable – and the estate’s extraordinary architectural heritage, from its historic working cellars to its grand reception spaces.
Albéric Bichot acquired many plots, meaning that the maison now has 100 hectares of vineyards. Here we find the Clos Frantin and Domaine Château-Gris on the Côte de Nuits, the Domaine du Pavillon and the Domaine Adélie on the Chalonnaise coast as well as the Domaine Long Depaquit in Chablis and Domaine de Rochegrès in Beaujolais. These wines are certified as organic. At the same time, the maison carries out its trading business by purchasing only carefully selected grapes. The wines are all vinified in Beaune under the leadership of the very talented Matthieu Mangenot.
In recent decades, the estate has taken a major step forward with an unwavering commitment to raising quality. Wines from the estates’ vineyards and those from the négociant activity are kept separately, and the approach in both vineyard and cellar is as natural as possible. The grapes are vinified in a state-of-the-art vathouse located in the heart of Beaune. Albéric Bichot has brought renewed drive to the estate, and the results speak for themselves.