Joseph Drouhin : Montagny Village 2016

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Montagny Village 2016 from Joseph Drouhin

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance stands out for its crystalline brilliance and straw-yellow color enhanced by highly subtle pale-gold highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals an elegant, restrained bouquet, characteristic of Burgundy chardonnay. Delicate Golden Delicious apple aromas mingle with notes of raw almond and lemongrass, alongside a mineral edge reminiscent of flint. With aeration, floral nuances of acacia, hawthorn and honeysuckle gradually enrich the aromatic palette.

Palate

The attack is clean and lively, driven by well-defined acidity. The palate develops into a pleasing roundness and a lightly buttery texture, unveiling flavors of apple, hazelnut and honey. The finish lingers elegantly on mineral impressions of chalk and flint, reflecting a fine expression of the terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Montagny Village 2016 is best enjoyed as an aperitif or pairs harmoniously with simply prepared noble fish, delicate shellfish and paellas. It also matches young or semi-aged goat cheeses, hard cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort, as well as white meats in a creamy sauce.

Serving

This Montagny Village 2016 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

A chardonnay from the Côte Chalonnaise combining finesse and Burgundy minerality

The estate

Founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, the House of Joseph Drouhin is among Burgundy’s most prestigious producers. Operating for over 145 years as a merchant-grower, it owns around 100 hectares of vineyards strategically spread across the region’s finest terroirs. Now run by the family’s fourth generation—Frédéric Drouhin as President, Véronique Drouhin in charge of winemaking, Philippe Drouhin overseeing the vineyards and Laurent Drouhin leading sales and marketing—the House perpetuates a philosophy built on finesse, balance and respect for terroir. A pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming practiced for more than 35 years, it stands out for its environmental commitment and its constant pursuit of excellence.

The vineyard

Montagny is one of the southernmost appellations of the Côte Chalonnaise, officially recognized in 1936. The appellation covers 363 hectares across four main communes located about 30 kilometers southwest of Chalon-sur-Saône. The vineyards unfold on east- and southeast-facing slopes, at altitudes ranging from 250 to 400 meters. The soils have a complex clay-limestone and marly composition, derived from Lias and Triassic geological formations. This relatively high altitude combined with favorable exposure creates microclimatic conditions conducive to pronounced natural acidity and a marked mineral expression—traits especially prized in white chardonnay wines.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage holds particular significance in Bourgogne, corresponding to a low-yield year but one of generally high quality. The grapes reached remarkable ripeness, producing deep wines with notes of ripe fruit. For whites, the 2016 vintage stands out for its characteristic richness and density, with ripe-fruit notes balanced by superb freshness and well-preserved acidity. These positive features are especially evident in Montagny, where the naturally pronounced acidity of chardonnay grown on the appellation’s cool terroirs gains roundness and complexity over time.

Winemaking and aging

The Montagny Village 2016 benefits from the rigorous winemaking protocols applied by the Joseph Drouhin House. Harvesting is carried out by hand, with the grapes transported in small perforated crates to minimize oxidation. Whole clusters undergo a very slow pressing using a pneumatic press, allowing a gradual extraction of the juice while preserving the sought-after elegance. After settling, the juice goes directly into oak barrels for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Total aging lasts between 12 and 14 months, during which the wine remains in extended contact with the lees. The percentage of new barrels used for the Montagny Village is 10 to 15%, a proportion that brings a subtle oak contribution without dominance.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay