At the heart of the Côte de Nuits, the Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots 2023 from Domaine Louis Latour embodies an art of nuance, a Pinot Noir vibrating with delicacy. On this site intimately linked to the old Roman Castellum, the chalky soils bring graceful tension while the clay caresses the structure. If you are looking for a red Burgundy that combines purity, velvety texture and floral length, without weight or stiffness, to elevate seasonal dishes or mark a rare occasion, this cuvée answers that quest with jeweller-like precision, enhanced by traditional vinification and measured ageing that let the terroir sing. It appeals to enthusiasts seeking fine expression, able to charm on opening while promising additional depth and subtle complexity with time.

Blend and winemaking

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this Premier Cru comes from vines averaging 35 years old, rooted in clay-limestone soils that give the wine uprightness and finesse. A controlled yield of around 35 hl/ha preserves the natural concentration of the fruit. The harvest is hand-picked, ensuring careful selection of the grapes. Traditional open-vat fermentation provides gentle, precise extraction, respecting grape grain and tannin finesse. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full to round contours and bring a satiny texture. The 10 to 12 months ageing in French oak barrels, from the house cooperage, with about 40% new oak and a medium toast, achieves a harmonious integration where the oak frames rather than marks the wine. The result is a cuvée of balance and precision, true to Chambolle's airy aesthetic.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Bright, clear ruby with shimmering highlights that reveal the vintage’s youth and the purity of extraction, promising finesse rather than demonstrative power.
• Nose: Initial delicate mocha accents, followed by a procession of red fruits, cherry and redcurrant, then evocative peony, gentle spices and a hint of gunflint. The whole breathes harmony and distinction.
• Palate: Taut on entry then velvety in texture, with chiselled, precise tannins. Flavours of red berries, undergrowth and cocoa bean develop towards an airy, long and sapid finish where balance prevails, carried by an ethereal freshness.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve the wine between 15 and 17°C in large glasses to allow its floral palette and delicate texture to open up. It is advisable to open the bottle a few minutes before serving to reveal the finer nuances of the bouquet. Store in a cool cellar, away from light, lying down, with stable humidity. The cellaring potential of 7 to 10 years will allow aromas to interweave and the tannins to gain further silkiness, shaping an ever more complex palate without losing the clarity of fruit.

Food pairings

• Duck parmentier with truffles: the Pinot's velvet wraps the duck's depth and the truffle's nobility.
• Roast capon: juicy meat and crisp skin find an echo in the cru's finesse and floral persistence.
• Salmi of woodcock: a classic pairing where the wine's woodland notes converse with feathered game.
• Wild boar with lingonberries: the wine's fruity frame and freshness lighten the dish's intensity for a flavoursome ensemble.
• Brillat-Savarin: the cheese's creamy richness marries the cru's caressing texture.

Occasions

Les Chatelots 2023 makes an entrance at the table or in a tête-à-tête with time. Here are three contexts where it blossoms with grace:

• A gourmet dinner where each course demands finesse and aromatic precision.
• A special occasion elevated by a clear, captivating red Burgundy.
• A connoisseur's gift to celebrate the art of living with elegance and restraint.

Details

• Name : Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots 2023, Domaine Louis Latour
• Appellation : Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru AOC
• Type : Red wine, Fine wines
• Vintage : 2023
• Grape : Pinot Noir 100%
• Vineyard : average vine age approx. 35 years
• Soil : clay-limestone
• Yield : around 35 hl/ha
• Harvest : hand-harvested
• Winemaking : traditional open-vat fermentation
• Malolactic fermentation : 100%
• Aging : 10 to 12 months in French oak barrels, about 40% new, medium toast
• Serving temperature : 15 to 17°C
• Cellaring : 7 to 10 years
• Climat : Les Chatelots, historic terroir linked to the Castellum, renowned for delicate and harmonious wines