Domaine Blain-Gagnard was formed in 1980 when Jean-Marc Blain married Claudine Gagnard, youngest daughter of Jacques and Marie-Josèphe Gagnard of Domaine Gagnard-Delagrange.
The couple runs this venerable domaine with the help of their son Marc-Antonin. They now control 20.5 acres of vines in Chassagne-Montrachet, including holdings in three grands crus: Le Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.
Chassagne-Montrachet lies towards the southern end of the Côte de Beaune and is famous for its white wines, although half of its total plantings are in red. In addition to the Grand Crus, Blain-Gagnard’s holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet include two red premier crus and four white premier crus along with small holdings in Volnay and Pommard. The vineyards are farmed by lutte raisonée (“reasoned struggle”).
Les Caillerets is located at the southern end of the village and sits above Les Champs Gain at an elevation between 250 and 280 meters. The name “Caillerets” refers to the chalky soil found here which contributes to the elegance and finesse typical of wines from this site and is from vines planted between 1954 and 1987.
Enough wood to comment on sets off the borderline exotic aromas of orange peel, white peach, exotic tea and a hint of pineapple. The rich and very generous medium-bodied flavors once again brim with sappy dry extract where an evident bead of minerality adds a sense of lift to the very dry finish that is shaped by citrus-tinged acidity. This has the stuffing to age but is sufficiently pliant to be enjoyable young as well.