Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champgains 2022 - 750ml

94pts Decanter

Lucie Coutoux explained that although La Maltroie and Champgains (as they spell it) are roughly the same elevations on the band of premier crus, there is more limestone in Champgains that gives a bigger wine. In 2022, this shows ripe notes of passionfruit and lime peel with an accent of hazelnut and hay. The texture is supple and rich, almost fat, but pleasantly so. The grapes are from the domaine's parcel of 0.44 hectares at the top of the slope.

92pts Jasper Morris

A glowing pale lemon yellow. There is a clear white fruit charm to this, a little more chiselled than the softly welcoming Chenevottes, with a limestone length and purity at the finish. Drink from 2027-2032.

91pts Burghound

From a .44 ha parcel situated in shallow soil that is a mixture of clay and fragmented rock. This is aromatically similar to the Maltroie though with evident floral elements. There is slightly better volume and mid-palate density to the delicious and caressing but punchy medium weight flavors that possess a healthy amount of sappy dry extract while exhibiting better overall depth and persistence. This too should be approachable young but easily repay mid-term keeping.*Burghound Outstanding!

91pts Vinous

The 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet Champgains 1er Cru has more bite and nervosité than the La Maltroie: crushed limestone intermingling with citrus fruit, a light touch of Vervane in the background. This is nicely focused. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry, with plenty of weight on the mid-palate, but the pH seems lower than that of the La Maltroie, so there is more tension on the finish. The 2022 is a classy offering.