Jean-Claude Bachelet et Fils boasts a long history dating back to the 17th century. They own 9 hectares in the lesser-known yet underrated village of Saint-Aubin, with additional parcels in Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. Jean-Claude Bachelet passed away in 2019, and the estate continues to thrive under the leadership of his two sons, Benoît and Jean-Baptiste. Whereas their father previously sold his wines exclusively to négociants, they now choose to bottle their own. Crafting balanced, complex, and delicious Burgundy reds and whites, the brothers' meticulous care and hard work have steadily elevated both the quality and reputation of their wines in recent years.

Chassagne-Montrachet, situated in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune region, holds the title of producing the world's finest Chardonnay white wines. It ranks alongside the premier white wine villages of Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. The appellation spans approximately 197.66 hectares dedicated to white wine production, 106.45 hectares are dedicated to red wine production. This includes three Grand Cru vineyards: Criots-Batard-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, and Montrachet. The Batard-Montrachet and Montrachet Grand Cru vineyards are shared with Puligny-Montrachet, alongside 55 Premier Cru vineyards.

The vineyards exhibit distinct differences between the northern and southern parts of the village. The southern section features higher limestone clay and red gravel soils, better suited for Pinot Noir cultivation. The northern area predominantly consists of clay-limestone structures, ideal for growing Chardonnay. The climate is continental, characterized by warm, dry summers and cold, long winters, slightly milder than Chablis, making it an ideal terroir for Chardonnay.

Jean-Claude Bachelet's estate cultivates nearly 10 hectares using organic and biodynamic methods, currently working towards certification. Many plots feature old vines, some planted as early as 1927, imparting rich, complex flavors to their wines.

In recent years, brothers Jean-Claude and Benoît have continually elevated the wines produced here to new heights. Rigorous viticulture, meticulously selected harvest dates, extended pressing cycles, prolonged aging on lees, and bottling with premium natural corks form the core of their philosophy. Mature vineyards, more sophisticated barrel-making techniques, and a spacious new winery in the village of Gamay represent just a few of the details contributing to the estate's quality enhancement over the past decade. Harvesting in late 2021, they boldly retained substantial lees and adhered to the tradition of 24 months of oak barrel aging, ultimately crafting a series of deeply satisfying wines.

【Wine Advocate 91 pts】

The 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Encégnières is also very successful, unfurling in the glass with aromas of confit citrus, pear and bread dough framed by an attractive touch of youthful reduction. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, with excellent volume and cut, it's bright and charming.