Jean-Claude Bachelet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Macherelles 2023
We have 6 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Macherelles is a premier cru vineyard on the eastern face of Chassagne-Montrachet's hillside, with full east exposure that brings morning light early and moderates afternoon heat. Within the context of the Bachelet range, Macherelles is consistently the most forward of the white premier crus on release — a function of its exposure and position on the slope, which tends toward freshness and early definition rather than the deeper, more brooding concentration of south-facing parcels. In 2023, the Bachelets opened harvest here on September 2nd, picking Macherelles among the first parcels of the vintage.
The Wine
100% Chardonnay, biodynamically farmed. Native yeast fermentation; aged 24 months in French oak barrel, predominantly in 456-liter vessels. In warmer vintages like 2023, the Bachelets crush the grapes rather than press them whole, introducing a light bitterness that compensates for naturally lower acidity and adds textural complexity. The 2023 vintage was the first certified organic by ECOCERT at the domaine; whites came in at 13-13.5%. The Macherelles is the entry point to Bachelet's white premier crus for good reason: white peach, ripe citrus, a clean almond finish, and the balance of texture and minerality that is what white Burgundy at this level is about. It can read slightly oaky and rich when young, but two winters in barrel on the lees means everything integrates with time.
The People
The Bachelet family has made wine from the hamlet of Gamay, just outside Saint-Aubin, since the early 17th century. Jean-Claude Bachelet, the patriarch who built the domaine's modern reputation, passed away in 2019. The estate is now run by his sons Benoît, whose first vintage here was 2000, and Jean-Baptiste, who joined in 2005. Together they oversee ten hectares split roughly evenly between red and white, with almost half the vines in Chassagne-Montrachet, 40% in Saint-Aubin, and the remainder in Puligny-Montrachet. Conversion to biodynamics began in 2012, and by 2016 all ten hectares were farmed biodynamically. The 2023 vintage marks the first Bachelet wines certified organic by ECOCERT. Fermentation is with indigenous yeasts; the whites age 24 months in barrel, primarily in 456-liter vessels, giving them two winters in the cellar before bottling. A new cellar completed in Gamay gives the brothers the space to work with the same precision they apply in the vineyard.
Food Pairing
Seared scallops with beurre blanc and chives, roast chicken with a tarragon cream sauce, fresh pasta with truffles or wild mushrooms, or a ripe wedge of Brie de Meaux. The wine's texture and acidity are in the kind of easy, natural balance that makes Côte de Beaune white Burgundy worth seeking out — and at the premier cru level, worth keeping a few bottles for three to five years after release.
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Burgundy, in eastern France, encompasses several subregions, but it is the Côte d'Or that is home to many of the world's most expensive and revered wines. The region, primarily a single east-facing slope, has mixed limestone soils that vary dramatically from village to village and even vineyard to vineyard. White wines, crafted from Chardonnay, range from rich and opulent to lean and intensely mineral, while Pinot Noir produces silky, perfumed red wines of exceptional finesse and complexity. Centuries of winemaking tradition have resulted in every plot being meticulously recognized and scrutinized, making the Côte d'Or a true capital of terroir.
Burgundy - Cote d'Or
Chardonnay, one of the world's most versatile and beloved white grape varieties, showcases a remarkable spectrum of styles, from the lean, mineral-driven expressions of Chablis in France to the rich, buttery, and oak-aged versions from California's Napa Valley. Its adaptability extends to cooler climates such as Burgundy, where it achieves elegance and complexity, and to regions like Australia's Yarra Valley, known for producing vibrant and fruit-forward renditions. This grape's ability to reflect its terroir, coupled with winemaking techniques, results in a wide array of profiles, including unoaked, crisp varieties with apple and citrus notes, to full-bodied wines with tropical fruit flavors and creamy textures.
Chardonnay
Certified Organic farming is an agricultural practice where vineyards adhere to strict regulations prohibiting the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Instead, certified organic growers rely on natural alternatives, including compost, cover crops, and beneficial insects, to nourish the soil and manage pests. Certification requires compliance with established organic standards, typically verified by third-party agencies such as USDA Organic in the United States or EU Organic in Europe. This method emphasizes ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainability, aiming to produce high-quality grapes and wines while reducing environmental impact and promoting long-term vineyard health. Organic farming is not allowed to use Glyphosate.
