2022 Bouchard Père & Fils Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine

They say that first impressions are the most important, and my first impression of this is that it's the white burgundy of my dreams. Astonishing Amalfi-lemon, pineapple and wildflower aromas with touches of flint and wet stones on the nose. Then comes the overwhelming minerality on the extremely concentrated, medium- to full-bodied palate. It is not only of mind-blowing intensity, but it just does not want to stop. The fruit is all there, but is right to the back of the stage upon which the stone figure of the heroine stands. And yet all of this is is so precise and finely nuanced. From a 2.33 hectare parcel in this legendary site. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Frédéric Weber explained his parcellaire approach to Chevalier, where the house has an enormous 2.33 hectares (in addition to their La Cabotte holding): the upper terrace has a tight energy and lighter body, with a suggestion of citrus fruit 'beaux amers'. The next terrace down delivers wine with a hint of mandarin orange. The penultimate terrace gives a richer, more substantial wine with ripe apple aromas, while the lowest terrace gives the most powerful wine that almost resembles the honeyed density of Bâtard-Montrachet. The blend of them all is superb and will age for decades.