2022 Chateau Lachassagne Chardonnay Monopole Clos Du Chateau Bourgogne 750 ml

Just 40km north of Lyon, in the heart of Beaujolais, is perhaps one of Burgundy’s best-kept Chardonnay secrets. It’s called the Château de Lachassagne, and its 1830 building was constructed on the ruins of an older castle that dates from 1535. Today it’s home to a 26-hectare Chardonnay vineyard surrounded by walls, called a clos, studded with old, low-yielding vines. 

This storied château, with a 360-degree view of the Saône plain below, was once owned and tended by the Marquis de Laguiche, from one of the oldest and most prestigious families in France. To this day the family is the largest holder of Montrachet in Puligny, so it speaks volumes that they once saw the immense potential in the terroir of Château de Lachassagne. 

These days the property is owned and run with pride by Olivier Bosse-Platière, who grew up in a winegrowing family nearby and was CEO of Maison Colin Seguin in Nuits Saint Georges for a decade before taking over this project. He was drawn to the old vines and calcareous clay soils here, so similar to the renowned crus of the Côte de Beaune.

We could not resist including this wine in our Discovery club, thanks to its rich aromas of yellow apple, ripe honeydew, fresh vanilla bean, ripe pineapple, and cardamom that leap from the glass. Smooth, refreshing, and balanced on the palate, it has juicy acidity and a medium body. Flavors of fresh lemon zest, toasted peach, a touch of butter, and white flowers. In short, it’s a cost-conscious Burgundy lover's dream to pair with a tarragon roast chicken on a cold night.