Domaine Jacques Prieur : Montrachet Grand cru 2018

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Montrachet 2018 Domaine Jacques Prieur

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a light gold hue with green and silver glints, a bright and lively color typical of a chardonnay still in its youth.

Nose

The nose is initially reserved before opening onto a layered aromatic profile, combining spice and anise with candied lemon, then evolving toward fresh mint, eucalyptus, truffle and pastry notes.

Palate

The palate is dense, full and generous, carried by a pronounced sapidity that leads into a remarkably long, almost endless finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs well with lobster or langoustine served with rich, buttery or creamy sauces, as well as with firm white fish such as turbot or sea bass prepared with a cream sauce or wild mushrooms. It also suits truffled poultry dishes and sweetbreads with reduced jus, while very strong or pungent cheeses should be avoided so as not to overpower its aromatic subtlety.

Serving and cellaring

The Montrachet 2018 is best served around 54°F (12°C). This wine needs several years to fully reveal its potential and can be cellared for more than ten years.

Other characteristics

The 2018 vintage predates the estate's organic certification, achieved with the 2023 harvest, but was already produced under a sustainable approach combining reasoned farming and progressively reduced chemical inputs.

A Dense, Mineral-Driven Montrachet Grand Cru from Domaine Jacques Prieur in Meursault, Burgundy

The Estate

Domaine Jacques Prieur was established in 1879 in Meursault, Burgundy, when Claude Duvergey acquired the Les Herbeux vineyard, laying the foundation for the estate's viticultural identity, later named after Jacques Prieur in 1956. Today, the property is owned mainly by the Labruyère family, alongside the Prieur heirs, under the direction of Edouard Labruyère. The domaine is known for its rare collection of grand cru vineyards spanning both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, reflecting a long-standing commitment to terroir-driven winemaking now moving toward organic viticulture.

The Vineyard

The Montrachet grand cru is planted on a steep, arid hillside of stony, clay-rich soil, a terroir whose name—meaning "bald hill" in old French—reflects its sparse, rocky character. The estate's plots include parcels known as "Dent de Chien," acquired in the early 1890s and located at mid-slope in one of the most sought-after sections of the Montrachet coteau, where poor soils, good drainage and favorable exposure combine to produce fruit of notable concentration.

The Vintage

The 2018 growing season in Burgundy ranked among the warmest and driest since the 2003 heat wave, resulting in favorable ripening conditions and grapes of notable concentration. These conditions called for careful attention to harvest timing in order to preserve freshness despite the heat.

Winemaking and aging

Montrachet 2018 is made from chardonnay and aged in oak barrels, with a proportion of new wood ranging between 50% and 80% for the estate's grand crus, over a period of about twenty months. This extended aging in a significant share of new oak contributes to the wine's structure and aromatic complexity while preserving the expression of the terroir.

Grape Varieties

100% chardonnay.