The cellar of Domaine Jean Monnier are in the village of Meursault and the family have made wine and grown grapes in the area since the 1700s. The grandfather has either just finished up as, or still is, the mayor of Meursault for the usual ten year stint. The family have extensive underground cellars which, in one wrought iron gate-closed section, have a significant wine museum. The grandfather still opens 1929 Pommard Clos de Citeaux (from the great Benedictine dark ages monastery of Citeaux) and the grandchildren’s generation – who now work at the Domaine – tell me they’ve yet to have a bad one. The family still owns this plot. For myself, I have only been back to the 1978 vintage, which was marvellous.
i.e. The wines of the Clos de Citeaux are proven to get better with age – and the winemaking techniques have never been so good.
The 2017 marks the 10th vintage that we have brought in from Domaine Jean Monnier and winemaking styles have become more modern and the oak selection more researched and thus far superior to anything that we’ve seen in the past for both chardonnays and
pinot noirs.
Domaine Jean Monnier Bourgogne Blanc Cote D’or 2017. Qty Avail. 120 – $35
The mouth is classic white burgundy with fine butter, fruit and balancing acid.
Gastromand
2017 is a huge white wine season in Burgundy, where you are both rewarded with power and the refreshingly crisp, mineral elegance that makes these wines so sought after. Jean Monnier & Filss’s regular Cotes d’Or Blanc (previously known as Burgundy Blanc) is a prime example of this. The wine’s pale yellow color is followed by a crisp and infectious nose with citrus, pear, nuts, yellow apples and white flowers. In the mouth it has concentrated fruit presented with such a straight and precise acid that the overall impression appears both refreshing and balanced. An affordable white Burgundy, which will develop positively in 5-10 years.
Jysk Vin
Jean Monnier Puligny Montrachet 2017. Qty Avail. 84 – $73
The bouquet is more modern and fragrant than ever before and from this is fresher, more pure and has youthful and bright citric overtones to the worked chardonnay characters rather than the more traditional complete, forward and perhaps slightly mealy characters. Lean, young and intense. Dense, young and still reasonably tight. The chardonnay fruit behind the oak and acid’s firm exterior is supple yet restrained has serious length for this village appellation 2017 release. 18.5 points, JJ
This arch-classic Puligny appears straw yellow in color with a super-elegant, linear and vibrant aromas of citrus, lime, nuts, butter and crushed stones. In the mouth goes the so classic Puligny steel style again, where the medium-concentrated fruit is offset by such a screaming acid and a long, flinty aftertaste that the wine appears extremely focused. And just as the Terroir-driven Puligny should taste!
Jysk Vin
Jean Monnier Meursault Charmes 2017. Qty Avail. 30 – $99
From one of the great Premier Cru Vineyards of Meursault – which actually has no Grand Cru vineyards! Long, and perhaps very long, but is lean and dry at the moment with worked winemaking and minerally driven chardonnay fruit characters in its lingering youthful dry finish.
18.3 points now and 18.7 points by 2022, JJ
It’s not every day that you find good Meursault Premier-Cru in this price range. And not at all from the uniquely situated Charmes, which together with Perrières and Genevrières are considered the best fields in Meursault.
Not since vintage 2014 have such beautiful white wines been made in Meursault, as is the case here in vintage 2017. And this big and mineral “Charmes” is no exception. A unique Meursault demonstrating why Burgundy – and not least Meursault – is such a unique area to grow Chardonnay. An elegant and crisp nose with citrus, lime and a chalky minerality. Rich and concentrated with a delicious viscosity and lively acid, which makes the wine impressively clean, focused and extremely harmonious. Bigger and with greater concentration and extract than the more stringent vintage 2016. We promise an experience out of the ordinary! Jysk Vin
Jack & Nicola Monnier
Jean Monnier Clos de Citeaux Pommard Les Grands Épenots 2016. Qty Avail. 54 – $89
The Clos de Citeaux releases from the famed Grands Épenots releases are usually a little robust on release, but given three to four years, this consistently softens into silky, gentle, long and delicious wines of great value. The 2017 release is already silky and fine – and long and classy – and it will be lovely (18.4 points) but this 2016 is superior. It is fuller, softer, rounder and denser. It has both the power and the upfront forwardness of the Pommard commune wines, but shows marvellous length and soft appeal already. A little young at the moment but marvellous within 12-18 months and then for the next 25 years.
18.5 points, JJ
Monnier’s Grand Epenots Clos de Citeaux is a vintage, cool and elegant version of a Pommard, whose mineral style will appeal to many Burgundy nerds. An exciting and challenging Burgundy wine that requires focus and patience. If you give it, there’s a really great wine experience in store. Jysk Vin