Notify me
2015 Bourgogne Vézelay Blanc “Le Galerne”
Domaine Montanet-ThodenValentin refers to this wine as “typique” Vézelay. Translating that word as “typical” doesn’t quite do typique justice. Essentially, the concept refers to a wine that, based on the history and legacy of a region’s terroir and winemaking, shows the best that style has to offer. Perhaps “classic” is what we’d say in English.
The Galerne is typique because it is a blend of many parcels from all across the Vézelay appellation. If you visit Valentin, he’ll give you a tour of the hillside town of Vézelay and the abbey that marks the high point of the hill. From there you can see the expanse of Vézelay, and he’ll point out his different parcels—each one unique, from east to west, with varying elevations and exposures. The result is a fine and balanced Chardonnay, expressing the right amount of fruit, crisp acidity, and limestone minerality to remind you precisely where this wine is from.
—Clark Z. Terry
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2015 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Bourgogne |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine Montanet-Thoden |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Valentin Montanet |
Vineyard: | Planted mid-90s, early 2000s, 6 ha |
Soil: | Clay, limestone |
Aging: | Vinification and élevage entirely in stainless steel |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Pruliers”
France | Burgundy
2018 Saint Romain Blanc
France | Burgundy
Full-bodied style, golden, old-school Chardonnay with a chalky base.
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “Cuvée Claude Denogent Vieilles Vignes” Les Cras
France | Burgundy
Ancient vines, stunning Chardonnay.
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”
France | Burgundy
Concentration, power, and plenty of flesh on its limestone bones.
2021 Chablis 1er Cru ”Butteaux”
France | Burgundy
There is no mistaking it—one taste and you are in Chablis territory: zesty minerality, wet stone, freshness and nervosity.
2022 Bourgogne Vézelay Blanc “Galerne”
France | Burgundy
Climate, a clay-and-limestone soil, and stainless-steel vinification are the pillars of Valentin’s Galerne blanc, a divine rendition of pure, chiseled Chardonnay.
2020 Irancy
France | Burgundy
There is blood orange on the palate, soil tones, iron, and a stony backbone. The luscious character of this vintage is on full display in this deliciously approachable bottle.
2022 Chablis
France | Burgundy
A crystal-clear translation of the Kimmeridgian limestone of Chablis—Chardonnay the way it can only taste from these soils.
2019 Vin de France “Grenache Noir”
France | Burgundy
The result is a red with a light touch and bright aromatics, yet still with a hint of southern French sun. Best chilled.
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
France | Burgundy
A sneakily serious Pinot Noir.
About The Producer
Domaine Montanet-Thoden
About The Region
Burgundy
In eastern central France, Burgundy is nestled between the wine regions of Champagne to the north, the Jura to the east, the Loire to the west, and the Rhône to the south. This is the terroir par excellence for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The southeast-facing hillside between Dijon in the north and Maranges in the south is known as the Côte d’Or or “golden slope.” The Côte d’Or comprises two main sections, both composed of limestone and clay soils: the Côte de Nuits in the northern sector, and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Both areas produce magnificent whites and reds, although the Côte de Beaune produces more white wine and the Côte de Nuits more red.
Chablis is Burgundy’s northern outpost, known for its flinty and age-worthy Chardonnays planted in Kimmeridgian limestone on an ancient seabed. Vézelay is a smaller area south of Chablis with similar qualities, although the limestone there is not Kimmeridgian.
To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise extends from Chagny on its northern end, down past Chalon-sur-Saône and encompasses the appellations of Bouzeron in the north, followed by Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny.
Directly south of the Chalonnaise begins the Côte Mâconnais, which extends south past Mâcon to the hamlets of Fuissé, Vinzelles, Chaintré, and Saint-Véran. The Mâconnais is prime Chardonnay country and contains an incredible diversity of soils.
More from Burgundy or France
2011 Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru
Domaine Roulot France | Burgundy
2020 Irancy
Benoît Cantin France | Burgundy
2020 Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2021 Mâcon-Villages
Henri Perrusset France | Burgundy
2019 Mâcon-Villages
Santini Collective France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”
Famille Savary France | Burgundy
2022 Vin de France Blanc Melon de Bourgogne
La Soeur Cadette France | Burgundy
2018 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis Grand Cru “Vaudésir”
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Roncières”
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2019 Pouilly-Fuissé ”Climat Vieilles Vignes“
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
Domaine Méo-Camuzet France | Burgundy
2011 Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru
Domaine Roulot France | Burgundy
2020 Irancy
Benoît Cantin France | Burgundy
2020 Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2021 Mâcon-Villages
Henri Perrusset France | Burgundy
2019 Mâcon-Villages
Santini Collective France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”
Famille Savary France | Burgundy
2022 Vin de France Blanc Melon de Bourgogne
La Soeur Cadette France | Burgundy
2018 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis Grand Cru “Vaudésir”
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Roncières”
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2019 Pouilly-Fuissé ”Climat Vieilles Vignes“
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
Domaine Méo-Camuzet France | Burgundy
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312