2017 Paul Pillot, Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er Cru La Grande Montagne

Thierry Pillot’s approach to the Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Grande Montagne centers on a low-intervention philosophy that prioritizes the structural integrity of this high-altitude, limestone-dominated site. Farming is conducted with organic principles and intensive manual labor, with the goal of producing grapes that reflect the tension of one of the commune’s highest-elevation Premier Crus. In the cellar, the 2017 Chardonnay undergoes fermentation with native yeasts in 350-liter barrels, utilizing minimal new oak to avoid masking the wine’s geological transparency. The 2017 vintage conditions, characterized by stable growing patterns, allowed for physiological ripeness while preserving a defining structural acidity. The resulting wine is marked by a taut, mineral-driven architecture and a finely-grained texture that emphasizes verticality and linear precision.