Bernard Moreau et Fils - "Vieilles Vignes" Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 2020 (750ml)

• Total Size: 180 ha (445 acres) village vineyards
• Winery Holdings: 3.7 ha (9.14 acres) Reds
• Home to 3 Grand Cru vineyards, 16 Premier Cru Climats and 47 AOC Lieux-dits. Puligny-Montrachet is to the north, Saint-Aubin to the northwest and Santenay to the south. The Grand Cru vineyards grow only white grapes. The Premier Cru and AOC vineyards are planted to both red and white grapes.
• Approximately 66% of the wine produced in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation is Chardonnay.  Per AOC regulations the allowed base yield is 45 hectoliter per 1 ha (2.47 acre) for white wine. The grapes must reach a maturity of at least 11.0 per cent potential alcohol for village-level white wine and 11.5 per cent for Premier Cru white wine.
• This village is mentioned in 886 as in Cassaneas «in the oak woods». It is Latin Cassanea «oak grove, oak tree wood» translated literally from the Gallic Cassanos.  The oak tree had a symbolic and sacred value for the Gauls; oak trees were linked to the ritual practices and religious beliefs of the Druids. Until 1879, the village was known as Chassagne-le-Haut. After that it was entitled to append the village name with the Grand Cru Climat: Montrachet.

Bernard Moreau:

• The vineyards are also located in Chassagne-Montrachet, and these are specifically just below Pierres.  From old vines 50-55 years of age.

Alex tries to be very gentle with the wine to avoid coarse tannins. He reduced the oak treatment since 2011 from 30% to 25% to avoid dried out tannins.

• Made from Pinot Noir grapes.
• Vine age – planted 1960-1965.
• Fermented in 10%-30% new French oak barrels, using naturally occurring yeast.
• Aged in 10%-30% new French oak barrels.
• Aged for 14-15 months.
• Bottled without fining and usually without filtration unless the wine is cloudy.