This is notably finer aromatically though not necessarily purer with freshly cut lemon, dried rose petal and spice hints merging into detailed, superbly intense and beautifully precise medium full flavors brimming with dry extract and a striking underlying tension on the energetic and almost painfully intense finish that goes on and on. Highly recommended. Sweet spot Outstanding ♥

With one of the most intriguingly animal (as well as mineral) noses you will encounter in Chardonnay anywhere outside of Chablis, the Maltroye 2007 Chassagne Montrachet Les Grandes Ruchottes mingles elements of narcissus, musk, sweat, shrimp shell reduction, and chicken stock. The palate here is no less intriguing, and underlain by a palpable sense of chalk, and salty extract, leading to a finish driven by brash citric intensity. I suspect that myriad volatile esters are at work here that would give many an oenologist pause, but I find this part of the wine’s fascinating complexity, and suspect it will reward at least 5-6 years’ cellaring. - David Schildknecht