Domaine Blain-Gagnard, a domaine created in 1980 by Jean-Marc Blain and Claudine Gagnard, works in a classical, low-intervention style that lets Chassagne’s terroirs speak for themselves. Their 1er Cru Morgeot comes from the large, historic east/southeast-facing climat around the old abbey on clay-limestone and marl that naturally yields generous, structured whites and is a benchmark 1er cru for Chassagne. 2023 was a ripe, healthy, and balanced year with a good yield and a bit earlier harvest (late August/early September). Whole cluster fruit was fermented and aged the wine in French oak for roughly 12–14 months with modest new wood (~20–25%), limited bâtonnage, and malolactic fermentation. The result is a precise, terroir-driven Chassagne, showing notes of lemon oil, ripe pear, and white peach, with nuances of acacia, almond, a subtle grilled-hazelnut/toast character, and saline, chalk-etched length. One to enjoy now or over the next decade or so, this is a beautiful example of Morgeot and one of the best buys for this vineyard in 2023.

Burghound 91 pts!  This is similar to the Boudriotte but with even more citrus influence that can also be found on the more voluminous and richer medium-bodied flavors that possess a borderline suave mouthfeel, all wrapped in a youthfully austere finale that is both slightly more complex and persistent. This too should be approachable young but has the balance and stuffing to reward moderate aging. (Drink starting 2030)