Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils: precision and tradition in Chassagne Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils is one of the most respected producers of Chassagne-Montrachet. Founded at the beginning of the last century, the estate is now headed by the talented winemaker Alex Moreau, who continues his father Bernard's work with a modern yet respectful vision. The Moreau family owns vineyards across some of the finest Premier and Grand Cru parcels of the Côte de Beaune. Their philosophy revolves around purity, balance, and terroir expression. Everything is harvested by hand, with careful selection in the vineyard. Alex Moreau is known for his understated precision: he allows the wines to ferment naturally, employs long fermentations, and uses oak only to enhance structure and texture. The Grandes Ruchottes vineyard Les Grandes Ruchottes is one of the highest Premier Cru vineyards in Chassagne-Montrachet, with poor, stony soil rich in limestone. This location produces white wines with tension, precision, and a remarkable mineral undertone. The east-facing exposure offers optimal morning sun, which contributes to the ripening of the grapes without losing their freshness. In cooler years, this brings finesse and floral elegance, while in warmer years like 2020, it provides balance and refined depth. Grandes Ruchottes produces wines that are often more subtle than those from Morgeot or Les Baudines, but with greater longevity and complexity. The 2020 wine year in Burgundy The 2020 vintage is among the finest white Burgundies of recent decades. The summer was warm, but without extreme heat waves, and the nights remained cool. This resulted in wines with a perfect balance of ripeness and acidity. Alex Moreau began harvesting on August 20th, just in time to maintain freshness. Yields were good, with moderate alcohol levels around 13.4%. The grapes were gently pressed for three to three and a half hours and allowed to settle briefly before being placed in barrels. Moreau uses primarily François Frères barrels, and fermentation is allowed to proceed undisturbed, sometimes for months. The result: wines with exceptional texture, depth, and length. Vinification and style The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes 2020 is fermented entirely in oak barrels, with a significant portion of the fine lees, which is regularly stirred to give the wine greater complexity. Fermentation proceeded slowly and naturally, without excessive temperature control, allowing the wine to retain its energy and tension. Moreau's style is characterized by precision and purity. The wines are never heavy or overpowering, but rather focused, mineral, and complex. Grandes Ruchottes is a textbook example: expressive, layered, and with an almost palpable chalky texture. Tasting note 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes According to William Kelley of The Wine Advocate (94-96 points), the 2020 Grandes Ruchottes is "as brilliant as usual." The wine opens with aromas of pear, green apple, white flowers, and Meyer lemon, followed by notes of beeswax, pastry, and fresh bread. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with a satiny texture, great concentration, and lively acidity that provides tension and length. Kelley praises the wine for its depth and structure: “deep and satiny, with prodigious levels of concentration, racy acids, and chalky structuring extract.” The finish is long and mineral, with a chalky freshness that gives the wine excellent aging potential. He calls the 2020s from Domaine Moreau “some of the finest white wines produced on the Côte de Beaune.” Color, smell and taste The wine displays a bright straw yellow color with golden reflections. The aroma is complex: pear, lemon peel, blossom, almond, and a hint of brioche. On the palate, it is refined and full-bodied, with lively acidity that balances the rich fruit. The texture is silky and concentrated, with a chalky grip on the finish. The whole experience is energetic, harmonious