Notify me
2018 Bourgogne Vézelay Blanc “Galerne”
Domaine Montanet-ThodenIn Adventures on the Wine Route, Kermit wrote of Chablis: “The white Burgundy that raises the hair on my back, that arouses passions ranging from teeth-gnashing outrage to utmost euphoria, is not even from the Côte d’Or. It is Chablis, northernmost Chablis.” South of Chablis, but in the same orbit relative to the Côte d’Or, lies another Burgundian satellite that is similar in ways to its more famous neighbor: Vézelay. An hour and a half northwest of Beaune, this freshly minted AOC is capable of producing distinct, world-class Chardonnay, especially in the hands of a vigneron as talented as Valentin Montanet, whose family domaine began to pioneer organic farming in the region around the turn of the twenty-first century. The climate this far north is relatively cold and is reinforced by the “Galerne,” a wind that sweeps down from the northwest across the vineyards of Vézelay, helping the grapes to stay dry, cool, and healthy. This 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, bearing notes of orchard fruit, citrus, and oyster shells. Speaking of which, pair it with food as you would a Chablis: oysters, light seafood, and mild cheeses.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2018 |
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: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Beauroy”
France | Burgundy
The premier cru Beauroy is a round, ample expression of Chablis from a south-facing parcel. Silky and suave on the palate, it finishes with a whisper of salinity.
2022 Chablis “Vieilles Vignes”
France | Burgundy
Everything about this cuvée, from the delicately briny scent of slick oyster shells to the concentrated, pristinely focused sensation on the palate, is a demonstration of why this domaine has become one of Chablis’ very best.
2017 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
France | Burgundy
With some age, this will develop into one of the most gorgeous Pinot Noirs to ever grace your glass.
2017 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru “Près le Cellier”
France | Burgundy
When life gets you down, this wine reminds you that there’s greatness in this world.
2019 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
France | Burgundy
Fresh, elegant, and balanced—a screaming deal for top-quality red Burgundy.
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 Marsannay Blanc “Clos du Roy”
France | Burgundy
I find the Clos du Roy blanc to be quite versatile at my house in Meursault, especially with fowl, pork, and veal.
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
France | Burgundy
A sneakily serious Pinot Noir.
2017 Marsannay Rouge “Les Longeroies” Vieilles Vignes
France | Burgundy
This single-vineyard Pinot Noir with about five years of age is what drinking great Burgundy is all about.
2018 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru “La Riotte”
France | Burgundy
Old vines planted just after WWII, spicy and deep, rich and full.
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
2021 Saint-Aubin Rouge 1er Cru “Sur Le Sentier du Clou”
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy
2018 Corton Rognet Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2021 Bouzeron Aligoté
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Pinot Beurot “Les Grands Poisots”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2020 Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis “Vauprin”
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2020 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Clos du Chapitre”
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy
2018 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Viré-Clessé “En Châtelaine”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2021 Saint-Aubin Rouge “Les Eduens”
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis “Hommage”
Famille Savary France | Burgundy
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Bousselots”
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2021 Saint-Aubin Rouge 1er Cru “Sur Le Sentier du Clou”
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy
2018 Corton Rognet Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2021 Bouzeron Aligoté
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Pinot Beurot “Les Grands Poisots”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2020 Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis “Vauprin”
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2020 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Clos du Chapitre”
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy
2018 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Viré-Clessé “En Châtelaine”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2021 Saint-Aubin Rouge “Les Eduens”
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis “Hommage”
Famille Savary France | Burgundy
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Bousselots”
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171