Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet Clos Saint Jean 1er Cru 2012 versus Philippe Colin Chassagne Montrachet En Remilly 2019

Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet Clos Saint Jean 1er Cru 2012 versus Philippe Colin Chassagne Montrachet En Remilly 2019

Michel Niellon is a very talented winemaker, I can fall head over heels for his Chevalier Montrachet, consistently beating all other Chevalier Montrachet labels out there. It’s my first attempt to try his Chassagne Montrachet wines, Clos Saint Jean is not a favorite plot of mine, more disappointment than excitement, e.g. I reported this: Paul Pillot Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint Jean Blanc 2017
Sad to say, Niellon did not bring surprises to this Clos Saint Jean neither, apart from the pretty decent acidity, the fruits did not excite me, almost running flat on taste. I featured Philippe Colin’s flagship En Remilly next to it as I was hopeful for a showdown, but it turned out to be a one sided affair. En Remilly took the limelight with huge amount of orange juice and orange tinge both on the bouquet and palate. This 2019 vintage is quite a unique expression of En Remilly, normally it has more bright acidity, but this vintage the prominent fruit play is more on the limelight.