2018 Chassagne-Montrachet Champ Derrière, Maison Caroline Lestimé

• Style: Golden Burgundy white, lemon curd and brioche
• Taste: Perfumed lemon curd, brioche, toasted hazelnut, gingerbread
• Food: Roasted chicken, butter sauces, shellfish, soft cheeses
• Occasion: Gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 13% ABV, fresh and charming, drink now or age

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

This Chardonnay opens with perfumed intensity—lemon curd and brioche lead, with toasted hazelnut and gingerbread threading underneath. The palate stays charming and round, a richness that feels inviting rather than heavy. At 13% ABV, the 2018 vintage delivers ripeness without sacrificing the acidity that keeps white wine alive and fresh.

The Winery — Maison Caroline Lestimé

Caroline Lestimé manages Chassagne-Montrachet's Champ Derrière vineyard and personally makes all her wines, giving them the same individuality as her family domaine. The east-facing hillside, with clay-limestone soil rich in iron and manganese, feeds vines now 15 years old. The 2018 vintage demanded careful canopy management—30% more sunshine than average ripened the crop fast—but Lestimé harvested early, capturing both ripeness and freshness. Whole-bunch pressing and 12–15 months on lees in French oak (30% new) reflect her hands-on approach to every ferment.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve this wine alongside roasted chicken, butter-enriched fish dishes, shellfish, mushroom-based meals, or soft cheeses—equally compelling as a glass on its own. Its structure and acidity make it a natural choice for rich, layered dishes that demand a wine with presence and elegance. Whether you're building a France-focused collection or exploring Burgundy's greatest white-wine terroir, this vintage deserves a place in your cellar. At 94 from Wine Spectator, it's worth seeking out and laying down for future enjoyment.