2000 Michel Niellon Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru - 750ml

Michel Niellon is a critically well-regarded wine producer based in Chassagne-Montrachet appellation, synonymous with top-flight Chardonnay, in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune subregion. producing a range of labels from the area (including some red wines, from grand cru through to premier cru and village-level wines. The estate began selling wine in the 1960s, and has been run by three generations of the Niellon family. Michel Niellon, the current proprietor, is well known for his Chardonnay wines, including those from the grand cru climats of Chevalier-Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet in which he has holdings of 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres) and 0.1 hectares (0.2 acres) respectively. In all, Niellon owns 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) of vineyard land which is predominantly Chardonnay although the domaine has is some Pinot Noir (roughly two hectares/five acres in Chassagne, including plots in premier crus La Maltroie and Clos St Jean). Annual production is around 40,000 to 45,000 bottles, most of which is exported. The domaine produces a village level Chassagne-Montrachet from a series of lieux-dits, as well as premier cru bottlings including whites from Les Champs-Gains, La Maltroie, and Les Chaumées. Fruit is hand harvested and winemaking remains traditional with vinification dependent on the vintage. Niellon's wines see around a quarter new oak across most labels.