Description
🏰 【 Winery Legend: Château de la Maltroye 】
Château de la Maltroye is an iconic landmark in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy, instantly recognizable by its beautiful 18th-century glazed tile roof. Acquired by the Cournut family in 1940, the estate has been under the meticulous direction of Jean-Pierre Cournut since 1993. His unyielding dedication to quality and rigorous vineyard management has elevated the domaine to the absolute top tier of the appellation. While highly celebrated for their exceptional white wines, the estate's old-vine Pinot Noirs showcase the profound, often underappreciated potential for red wines in Chassagne-Montrachet.
🌿 【 Terroir & Winemaking 】
The Clos du Château de la Maltroye is a highly prized 1er Cru Monopole (exclusive ownership) spanning approximately 2.8 hectares, located directly in front of the château.
Terroir: The soil here is a complex mix of iron-rich clay and deep limestone. This specific geological profile imparts excellent structure and a distinctive, earthy depth to the Pinot Noir.
Viticulture: The domaine practices rigorous vineyard management, utilizing short pruning and aggressive green harvesting to drastically limit yields and ensure maximum concentration in the fruit.
Élevage: For the red wines, grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo a pre-fermentation cold maceration to extract pure fruit aromatics. Following fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels (around 30% new) for 14 to 18 months, and bottled with little to no filtration to preserve its authentic expression of terroir.
📅 【 Vintage & Ratings 】
The 2002 vintage in Burgundy is widely regarded as a classic and outstanding year for red wines. Despite a cool and variable summer, a perfect, sunny, and dry September with a prevailing north wind concentrated the berries and brought them to optimal ripeness while preserving brilliant acidity. Pinot Noirs from 2002 are celebrated for their elegance, pristine fruit clarity, formidable structure, and incredible aging potential.
🏅 Score: 90/100 Burghound
"A completely different aromatic profile is present here with an earthy, ripe and distinctly rustic nose of red and dark pinot fruits that lead to moderately structured, rich and mouth coating flavors that are firmly tannic but nicely balanced. This is a very good Chassagne 1er Cru."
"這裡呈現出完全不同的香氣特徵，帶現代泥土、成熟且明顯質樸的紅色和深色黑皮諾果香，引領出結構適中、豐富且包裹口腔的風味，單寧堅實但平衡良好。這是一款非常優秀的夏沙涅一級園紅酒。"
🍷 【 Tasting Notes 】
👃 Aroma: Fully open and expressive after more than two decades of cellaring. It greets the nose with captivating tertiary notes of sous-bois (forest floor), dried leaves, and truffle, followed by sweet dried red cherries, raspberries, and subtle undertones of leather and elegant spice.
👅 Palate: Round, textured, and velvety. The mature tannins have softened beautifully into a seamless texture. The signature 2002 acidity maintains a firm backbone, carrying a harmonious blend of red fruit sweetness and savory, earthy depth.
✨ Finish: Long and warming, concluding with the rustic charm typical of Chassagne reds and a lingering, refined mineral echo. A profound experience of aged Burgundy.
🍽️ 【 Serving Guide 】
🌡️ Temperature: 16°C - 18°C
⌛ Decanting: As a fully mature red, decanting is not recommended. Simply open and allow it to breathe in the bottle for about 30 minutes before serving in large Burgundy bowls to prevent the fragile aromatics from dissipating.
⏳ Drinking Window: 2012 - 2028. Currently drinking at its absolute peak.
🍴 Food Pairing: Pan-seared duck breast with cherry reduction, classic Bœuf Bourguignon, wild mushroom risotto, or aged firm cheeses.
💬 【 Manager's Pick 】
⚡ When people think of Chassagne-Montrachet, they immediately think of white wine, but their Premier Cru reds are incredible hidden gems! This 2002 Château de la Maltroye Monopole is from a highly revered, classic vintage for Burgundy Pinot Noir. After over 20 years of aging, the fruit has transformed into intoxicating notes of truffle, forest floor, and dried leaves, with seamlessly silky tannins. Being a Monopole means production is extremely limited. It is perfectly mature and ready to drink right now, offering unparalleled value for aged Burgundy. If you love the complexity of old wines, this is a must-buy that you simply open and enjoy! ⚡
⚠️ 【 Disclaimer 】 The information provided is for reference only. Actual tasting experiences may vary depending on storage conditions and personal preferences. While we strive for accuracy, please refer to official releases for final confirmation.
