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.
A beautifully layered nose reflects notes of white flowers, mineral reduction and a plethora of spice elements. Once again there is a lovely texture to the intense, concentrated, mouthcoating and unusually powerful middleweight flavors that display excellent length on the youthfully austere and agreeably dry finish. The Blain whites invariably age well and this should be no exception.