Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 1er Cru, “Morgeot—Les Fairendes”

Among the crus, Morgeot is known for its broad-shouldered wines, often the most rich and unctuous of Chassagne. In this case, Jean-Marc’s vines are located within the most renowned sector of Morgeot known as Les Fairendes, a “vineyard within a vineyard.” Poorer topsoil here facilitates a more profound mineral expression than is found in its surrounding area. Pillot owns a quarter-hectare of vines planted in 1970, and he has purposefully begun harvesting it a bit earlier the past few vintages to counterbalance the intense richness this site tends to engender. Les Fairendes delivers an appealing combination of textural generosity and firm acidity that characterizes the overall house style here—richness with finesse that elevates it above its more rustic colleagues.