Domaine Alex Moreau Chassagne-Montrachet 2023 750ml

Product Info

89-91pts Wine Advocate
The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc opens in the glass with aromas of pear, hazelnut and nutmeg, followed by a medium-bodied, ample and lively palate that's quite generous and fruit-driven this year, though I suspect it will tighten up with a second winter on the lees.

After the subdivision of the family domaine and the termination of a sharecropping agreement, Alex Moreau is now left with a mere 5.5 hectares of vines. Readers will imagine how disruptive that must be to a domaine's distribution when clients find their habitual allocations reduced not by one-half but to one-quarter of what they used to be. So, to mark a clean break, Alex has rebranded with his own label, effective from the 2021 vintage. As was the case under the Bernard Moreau label, he's also complementing his domaine holdings with a little négociant activity, something that expanded in scope with the 2023 vintage. Of course, if the size of the estate has changed, the approach has not—long pressing for white, followed by vinification in barrel (predominantly from François Frères) with indigenous yeasts, with élevage lasting a year in wood, followed by six months on the lees in tank before bottling under natural cork. Reds see an appreciable percentage of whole bunches. Published: Jan 30, 2025 Reviewed by: William Kelley

89-91pts Vinous Media
The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Village remains the largest of Alex Moreau's cuvées at 50% of total production, despite losing some land through the ending of fermage agreements It has a fresh bouquet with orange blossom and pithy pear scents, a little peachiness coming through with time. The palate is well balanced and harmonious with orange pith and light nectarine notes and quite a graceful finish. Drinking Window 2026 – 2036

Since Domaine Bernard Moreau split between brother Benoît and Alex, both winemakers have continued to produce wines that rank amongst the best within Chassagne-Montrachet. Alex’s holdings have shrunk not only due to the division but an additional five hectares lopped off as a result of expiring fermage agreements.

“I’m the only guy that has done less in 2023 than 2022,” he quips. A couple of people suggested that Alexandre’s wines would suffer since Benoît was apparently out in the vines and as the saying goes, all great wines in the vineyard… That is patently not borne out in the wines. In fact, now that the transition phase is over, I feel that he is happier than ever and he tells me that it is a “new beginning.” He commenced picking on September 2 with the Premier Crus, harvesting in the morning as it was so warm. All his cuvées are raised in around 20% new oak. “You can find three vintages in one in terms of style, picking dates and yields,” Moreau opines.

I thoroughly enjoyed Alex Moreau’s wines. These are wines with gorgeous texture, complexity and, as he remarked, articulate individual terroirs. You know what they say… small is beautiful. - By Neal Martin on November 2024

Terroir
This village-level Chassagne-Montrachet is sourced from several parcels scattered across the limestone-rich slopes surrounding the historic village of Chassagne-Montrachet in the southern Côte de Beaune. The vineyards lie on classic Burgundian soils of fractured limestone, marl, and clay, which provide excellent drainage while preserving mineral tension—hallmarks of Chardonnay grown in this celebrated appellation.

Alex Moreau, who now directs the family domaine following the division of the historic Bernard Moreau estate, works with vineyards positioned along mid-slope exposures where optimal sunlight meets cooling airflow descending from the Côte. These sites capture the balance that defines great Chassagne: richness from the warm Burgundian sun paired with vibrant acidity and saline minerality derived from the limestone bedrock. The 2023 vintage in Burgundy produced wines of generous fruit and clarity, with well-preserved acidity thanks to a relatively balanced growing season. The resulting wines express both ripeness and precision, qualities that are particularly evident in Alex Moreau’s refined interpretation of village Chassagne.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
The fruit for this wine is harvested by hand and carefully sorted to ensure pristine clusters. Whole bunches are gently pressed before fermentation begins, typically with indigenous yeasts, allowing the wine to express both site and vintage character naturally.

Fermentation and élevage take place in French oak barrels, with a modest percentage of new oak incorporated to provide subtle structure without dominating the wine’s aromatic profile. The wine typically spends around 12 months aging in barrel followed by additional time in stainless steel or tank to settle and harmonize before bottling. Lees stirring is minimal, maintaining freshness and preserving the mineral definition that defines the domaine’s style.

Alex Moreau’s approach favors precision and restraint—oak is carefully integrated, and the winemaking is designed to highlight the natural tension and purity of Chardonnay grown in Chassagne’s limestone soils.

Tasting Notes
The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet opens with a pale golden hue and brilliant clarity. Aromatically, it is vibrant and layered: ripe pear, white peach, and Meyer lemon unfold alongside subtle floral notes of acacia blossom. As the wine evolves in the glass, nuances of crushed stone, hazelnut, and delicate pastry emerge, reflecting its time on lees and careful oak aging.

On the palate, the wine balances richness and energy with impressive poise. The mid-palate carries flavors of orchard fruit, citrus oil, and fresh almond, while a precise line of acidity keeps the wine lifted and focused. The texture is supple yet refined, supported by a distinct mineral backbone that runs through the wine from entry to finish.

The finish is long and elegant, marked by saline tension and lingering citrus and stone fruit notes, capturing the classic profile of Chassagne-Montrachet with clarity and finesse.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve slightly chilled, around 50–55°F (10–13°C), in a Burgundy-style glass to allow the wine’s aromatic complexity to develop fully. A brief period of aeration—either through decanting or time in the glass—can help reveal additional layers of fruit and minerality.

This Chassagne-Montrachet pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, or creamy mushroom dishes. The wine’s balance of richness and acidity also makes it an excellent partner for dishes with beurre blanc, herb-roasted fish, or aged Alpine cheeses such as Comté. Its elegance allows it to complement refined cuisine without overwhelming delicate flavors.

Cellaring Potential
While approachable in its youth thanks to the 2023 vintage’s generous fruit, this Chassagne-Montrachet possesses the acidity and structural balance to age gracefully for 8–12 years. Over time, the bright citrus and orchard fruit will gradually evolve into more complex notes of toasted hazelnut, honeyed apple, and subtle brioche.

With proper cellaring in a cool, dark environment, the wine will develop additional texture and tertiary nuance while maintaining its mineral backbone. The optimal drinking window is likely to extend from 2026 through the mid-2030s, during which the wine should reveal the layered complexity that defines well-crafted white Burgundy.