Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 'Morgeot' Rouge, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard, 2018
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 'Morgeot' Rouge, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard, 2018
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2038
About Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 'Morgeot' Rouge, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard, 2018
The 2018 Morgeot Rouge from Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard opens with vibrant aromas of ripe red cherries, wild berries, and a touch of warm spice. The palate is silky yet structured, with refined tannins and a lovely balance of fruit and earthiness. Subtle oak aging adds hints of vanilla and a gentle smokiness, leading to a long, polished finish.
A refined and age-worthy red that drinks beautifully now but will continue to evolve over time. A perfect match for roasted meats, game, or earthy mushroom dishes.
Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard's excellent reputation is based upon the especially high quality of its white wines. However, they also produce very lovely reds which are not only beautifully pure expressions of Pinot Noir but are also very attractively priced.
This 2018 is currently in a lovely drinking phase, with primary fruit still vibrant but beginning to integrate with earthy secondary characters. Over the next 5-7 years, expect the cherry fruit to become more complex while forest floor and mineral notes develop further. The wine should reach its peak around 2030-2035, where it will show the full marriage of fruit, earth, and subtle oak. After that, it will gradually soften and become more tertiary, remaining enjoyable but losing some of its current vibrancy by the late 2030s.
What the critics say:
"The 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Rouge is showing nicely, unwinding to reveal notes of cherries, licorice and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, succulent and nicely concentrated, this is a chewy, characterful red Morgeot from old vines planted just below Ramonet's Clos de la Boudriotte."
"The expressive and ripe nose is quite similar to that of the Clos St. Jean but with more earth and a hint of pepper influence. The sleek and nicely vibrant medium-bodied flavors possess better power if slightly less refinement on the solidly complex and lingering finish."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceMedium ruby red with hints of garnet developing at the rim.
NoseVibrant red cherries and wild berries leap from the glass, followed by warm spice and a touch of forest floor earthiness. Subtle vanilla and gentle smoke from careful oak aging add complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
PalateSilky yet structured, with refined tannins that provide backbone without heaviness. The fruit-earth balance is spot-on, showing ripe cherry flavours grounded by mineral-driven earthiness. Medium-bodied with lovely freshness and integration.
FinishLong and polished, with lingering fruit and a gentle smoky echo.
Overall impressionA refined and characterful Chassagne rouge that drinks beautifully now while promising further development.
Food Pairings
In Burgundy, this style of Chassagne rouge would traditionally accompany coq au vin made with the same wine, or perhaps a rich beef bourguignon slow-cooked with plenty of mushrooms and pearl onions. Game birds like pigeon or duck breast are classic pairings, as are the region's famous époisses and chaource cheeses. The locals would also serve it with wild mushroom dishes, particularly cèpes or girolles sautéed with herbs and garlic during autumn harvest season.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to show off both the fruit and the wine's elegant structure. No need to decant unless you prefer the ritual - this is drinking beautifully straight from the bottle. Use Burgundy glasses if you have them, or any good red wine glass with a generous bowl to concentrate the aromatics.
Morgeot sits on the southern edge of Chassagne-Montrachet, where limestone-rich soils meet clay subsoil. The east-facing slopes catch morning sun while avoiding the harshest afternoon heat, creating ideal conditions for Pinot Noir to ripen slowly and retain its natural acidity. This terroir produces reds with both elegance and substance, combining the silky texture Chassagne is known for with enough structure to age gracefully.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru represents some of Burgundy's most undervalued reds, often overshadowed by the commune's world-famous white wines. The appellation's clay-limestone soils favour both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but the reds offer exceptional value compared to their counterparts in Volnay or Pommard. Morgeot is one of the larger premier cru vineyards, known for producing structured yet elegant reds with excellent aging potential.
Burgundy growers will tell you that 2018 was the vintage that reminded them why they fell in love with their vineyards in the first place. A glorious summer of sustained warmth without the punishing heat that can strip freshness from Pinot Noir, followed by cool nights that preserved the acidity. The flowering went smoothly, fruit set was generous, and harvest arrived early but without panic—exactly the sort of classical growing season that becomes rarer each decade.
What landed in the cellars was Burgundy at its most seductive: Pinot Noir with real depth of colour and fruit concentration, yet still dancing on its toes rather than plodding along. The Chardonnays show beautiful ripeness balanced by that crucial mineral backbone, particularly from the better sites in Chablis and the Côte de Beaune. We're drinking these wines now with enormous pleasure—they hit that sweet spot where primary fruit hasn't faded but the tannins have softened into silk. The top cuvées will cellar beautifully for another decade, but frankly, why wait?
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Silky and refined, with ripe red cherries, warm spice, and earthy minerality. The tannins are present but polished, with subtle oak adding vanilla and gentle smokiness.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve gracefully until the late 2030s. We'd suggest drinking it anytime between now and 2035 for peak enjoyment.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Roasted meats, game birds, and earthy mushroom dishes are perfect matches. It's also lovely with aged cheeses or classic Burgundian dishes like coq au vin.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve at 16-17°C in good red wine glasses. No need to decant unless you enjoy the ceremony - it's ready to drink straight from the bottle.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. While delicious now, it has the structure and balance to reward patience. Expect it to develop more complexity over the next decade while retaining its elegance.
How does this compare to other Burgundy reds?
Chassagne reds like this offer exceptional value compared to more famous communes like Gevrey or Volnay. You get classic Burgundian elegance and complexity at a more accessible price point.
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