Domaine de Montbourgeau - Montangis 2015

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

The first vintage of a new cuvée, a Chardonnay made from nearly century-old vines, aged for one year with top-ups, followed by two years under a veil of yeast, and finally six months in large oak casks. Powerful and full-bodied, with pronounced nutty notes, this full-bodied oxidative wine remains well-balanced, with a certain floral and lemony finesse.

About the estate:

Nicole Deriaux has a soft spot for Chardonnay—preferably with a distinct character—which accounts for nearly 70% of her vineyard (10 hectares in total within the Étoile appellation, including 2 hectares of Savagnin). Her family has owned the estate since 1920, and she has been at the helm for over 25 years, now supported by her sons César and Baptiste. All her wines showcase the Jura in the most beautiful and delicate way, with briny notes, subtle hints of yeast, and soon an interesting chardonnay ouillé (2017 vintage). 2019 should mark the turning point in the transition to organic farming. Montbourgeau shines at the summit of Étoile.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

In 1920, Victor Gros, Nicole Deriaux’s grandfather, settled in Montbourgeau. Her father, Jean Gros, further established the estate’s reputation. Near the 11 hectares of vineyards lies an idyllic setting, bordered by a row of lime trees leading to the cellars that surround the family home. A leading estate in the L'Étoile appellation.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A new vintage of Chardonnay from a vineyard planted in 1920, this 2015 Etoile Montangis follows the style of the ripe, concentrated wines that Nicole’s father and grandfather produced—wines with a slightly high alcohol content and a robust structure. It has the body of a Chardonnay and the hallmarks of a hot vintage, displaying power, concentration, and good balance, with aromas reminiscent of nuts and dried spices. A powerful and ripe Chardonnay.

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

About the wine:

This new vintage comes from a very old Chardonnay vineyard, planted in 1930, with a few scattered Savagnin vines. Generous and full-bodied thanks to the vintage, the wine perfectly embodies the estate’s style, combining “veiled flavors” (hints of toasted nuts...) with lively fruit.

About the estate:

Still relatively unknown, the Étoile appellation can produce wines of great finesse, provided the winemaker demonstrates tact and sensitivity. Nicole Deriaux, assisted by her son César, undoubtedly possesses these qualities. We particularly appreciate the estate’s style, which is free of frills and artifice, offering straightforward, intense wines that, without any nostalgia, stand firmly in the best Jura tradition. The estate’s cuvées achieve superb expressiveness; the Cuvée Spéciale, a Chardonnay aged for a long time under a veil, and the Vin Jaune are the most consistently excellent. The new Montangis cuvée appears to be of the same caliber. This careful and discreet work deserves greater recognition and the full attention of Jura aficionados. The first star is firmly secured.