Domaine de Montbourgeau - Montangis 2015

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

First vintage of a new cuvée, a Chardonnay from vines almost a hundred years old, aged one year in oak, then two years in oak, and finally six months in foudre. Powerfully structured, with marked nutty notes, this full-bodied oxidative wine remains balanced, with a certain floral and citrus finesse.

About the domain :

Nicole Deriaux has a soft spot for Chardonnay, preferably typical, which accounts for almost 70% of her vineyard (10 hectares in total in the Étoile appellation, including 2 hectares of Savagnin). His family has been at the helm of the estate since 1920, and has now been at the helm for over 25 years, assisted by his sons César and Baptiste. All her wines celebrate the Jura in the most beautiful and delicate of ways, with saline expressions, subtle takes on the veil, and soon an interesting wilted Chardonnay (2017 vintage). 2019 should mark the turning point in the conversion to organic farming. Montbourgeau shines at the summit of the Étoile.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

In 1920, Nicole Deriaux's grandfather Victor Gros settled in Montbourgeau. His father, Jean Gros, consolidated the estate's reputation. Next to the 11 ha of vines is a bucolic setting, bordered by an avenue of lime trees leading to the winery that surrounds the family home. A benchmark estate in the L'étoile appellation.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A new cuvée of Chardonnay from a plot planted in 1920, this Etoile Montangis 2015 follows the style of ripe, concentrated wines that Nicole's father and grandfather produced, slightly alcoholic wines with broad shoulders. It has the volume of Chardonnay and the marks of a warm vintage, showing power, concentration and good balance, with aromas reminiscent of nuts and dried spices. A powerful, ripe Chardonnay.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

This new cuvée comes from a very old parcel of Chardonnay, planted in 1930, with a few scattered vines of Savagnin. Generous and full-bodied thanks to the vintage, the wine is perfectly in keeping with the domaine's style, combining a "taste of sail" (hint of toasted walnut...) and lively fruit.

About the domain :

Still too little known, the Étoile appellation can give rise to expressions of great finesse, provided the producer shows tact and sensitivity. Nicole Deriaux, aided by her son César, undoubtedly possesses these qualities. We particularly appreciate the domaine's style, with no frills or gimmicks, offering straightforward, intense wines in the best Jura tradition. The estate's cuvées achieve superb expressivity; the Cuvée Spéciale, a Chardonnay aged for a long time under veil, and the Vin Jaune are the most consistent in excellence. The new Cuvée Montangis appears to be of the same calibre. This careful, unobtrusive work deserves more recognition and the full attention of Jura aficionados. The first star is firmly in our sights.