The hamlet of Blagny is a Cistercian heritage site and even during the earlier gallo-roman period it is believed that the inhabitants cultivated vines.
From the 12th century to the 18th, Blagny belonged to the Cistercian order established in the nearby abbey of Maizières and to this day remains a chapel built in the 15th century.
As commented by several 18th century writers, it appears that the monks’ knowledge of winegrowing had already built up the reputation of Blagny for its fine wine.After the revolution, the domain was sold in 1793 as national property and then acquired in 1811 by an ancestor of the present owners; the five following generations have all been dedicated to maintaining the excellence of the family estate and today, this responsibility is in the hands of Jean-Louis de Montlivault. Etienne de Brichard is preparing himself for the job.
Wine making:
Grapes are handpicked then placed in crates to be carefully transferred to the vathouse; a pneumatic press is used for low pressure extraction of the must.
For the white wines, the must is racked in vats for 24 hours which gives time for the coarse solid matter to settle and immediately after this period, the clear juice is filled into oak casks (only a quarter of the casks are new). The alcoholic fermentation is a natural process without the addition of artificial yeasts; then follows the malolactic fermentation process.
About 14 months later, the wine is racked in vats, filtered and then bottled.
The red wine process starts with fermentation of the de-stalked grapes in vats for approx. 2 weeks during which the colour and the tannins in the grape skin are dissolved; when the sugar is changed into alcohol, the wine is filled into casks and, as for the white, bottled after about 14 months. A quarter of the number of casks is renewed each year.
Terroir:
The terroir of Blagny, which is not more than 40 hectares, comprises 20% of appellations yet "1er cru" of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, universally known for excellence of their white wines. Soil, consisting of clay and limestone marl, are suitable for both reds than whites. Vineyards, grouped around the "hameau de Blagny", are located in the highest part of the Premiers Crus.
The vineyards are all located on the terroir of Blagny.
- Vines planted in white located on the commune of Meursault, have "meursault-blagny" appellation.
- Vines planted in white located on the commune of Puligny-Montrachet, have "puligny-montrachet, hameau de Blagny" appellation.
- Vines planted in red located on the commune of have "Blagny, sous le dos d’âne" appellation.
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Guillemot-Michel Vire-Clesse Charleston is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
This cuvée is produced from hundred-year old vines that the great-grandfather planted after he returned from World War I. The family wanted to honor his memory and vinify these vines the same way he did, in old demi-muids.
Charleston is a deep and complex wine that gently express itself in the glass, offering juicy white fruit flavors and a lengthy finish.
Charleston is vinified and aged for one year in demi-muids of over 10 years old. During the following harvest, the wine is racked and placed in vats for another 6 months of aging before bottling.
Fish in white sauce, poultry in creamy sauce, hard cheeses.
Review:
"The 2019 Viré-Clessé Charleston is brilliant, opening in the glass with notes of buttered citrus fruit, pear, beeswax and vanilla pod. Full-bodied, layered and textural, with huge concentration, lively acids and a seamless, multidimensional profile, it's long and penetrating. It's one of the very best wines I've ever tasted from the domaine. Readers will remember that the Guillemot family's oldest parcel of vines dates back to 1918, and the idea behind this cuvée is to work the vines and make the wine in the same way as their grandfather—who planted them—did. It spends a year in old demi-muids followed by six months in tank on the lees. - William Kelley"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (August 2021), 94+ pts
At the foot of Spring Mountain, the vineyard produces soil and mineral-driven cabernet sauvignon with aromas of ripe blackcurrant and damp earth. A dense palate of blackberry and cassis flavors harmonize with intense mineral expressions bolstered by soft, lush tannins.
Review:
Superb aromas of blackberries, currants, crushed stones, conifer and wet earth. Menthol, too. Full-bodied with a dense center-palate, yet it remains agile and persistent. Lovely character and richness at the finish, but not overpowering. Another three or four years will make it better, but already gorgeous.
-James Suckling 98 Points