Albert Bichot "La Moutonne" Chablis Grand Cru 2023

Albert Bichot "La Moutonne" Chablis Grand Cru 2023 is a 750ml, 100% Chardonnay from a rare monopole vineyard in the heart of Chablis Grand Cru, bottled at approximately 13% ABV. Jasper Morris awards La Moutonne his highest five-star rating, and the 2023 vintage carries a critics' average of 93 points — a testament to the singular site that produces it.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy, France  |  Vintage: 2023  |  Producer: Domaine Long-Depaquit (Albert Bichot)

Production & Heritage

La Moutonne is a 2.35-hectare monopole owned by Domaine Long-Depaquit, itself a property of the Beaune-based négociant house Albert Bichot, founded in 1831. The vineyard occupies a natural amphitheatre straddling two Grand Cru climats — roughly 95% within Vaudésir and 5% within Les Preuses — making it the only Chablis Grand Cru to span two separate appellations. Historically tended by the monks of Pontigny Abbey, the site retains a distinctive micro-terroir of Kimmeridgian limestone and fossil-rich clay. Vinification splits the fruit: 75% ferments in stainless steel vats to preserve purity, while 25% goes into one- to five-year-old oak barrels for texture. The wine ages 10 months on fine lees under the same 75/25 split before a final six months of maturation in stainless steel, a regimen designed to balance minerality with restrained richness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with honeysuckle and white flowers before shifting toward marine and saline elements. Deeper inspection reveals Mirabelle plum, a whisper of honey, and the chalky, wet-stone scent that marks serious Chablis Grand Cru.

Taste: The entry is precise and saline, with fresh citrus and green apple dominating the initial attack. At mid-palate, the wine broadens into richer territory — touches of quince and fresh butter — while vibrant acidity keeps everything taut and focused. Crushed rock and lemon zest converge at the peak, reinforcing the Kimmeridgian mineral signature.

Finish: Long and textured, with lingering seashell minerality and a fine, chalky grip. A thread of citrus peel and hazelnut carries through the final moments, sustaining energy well after the last sip.

How to Drink La Moutonne

A Grand Cru of this caliber is best served lightly chilled — around 12–14°C — in a wide-bowled white Burgundy glass to allow the complex aromatics to fully develop. Decanting 20–30 minutes before serving can help the 2023 open up in its youth. While La Moutonne is fundamentally a wine for the table rather than cocktails, its intensity and structure make it an exceptional pairing wine: serve it alongside butter-poached lobster, where the saline minerality mirrors the shellfish; with aged Comté cheese, whose nutty depth echoes the wine's hazelnut undertone; or alongside seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc, where the acidity and richness find a natural counterpart.

Best For

• Collectors cellaring age-worthy white Burgundy for 10–20 years
• Gifting a serious Burgundy enthusiast a rare monopole Grand Cru
• Anchoring a special-occasion seafood dinner
• Comparative tasting alongside other Chablis Grand Cru climats like Les Clos or Vaudésir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Moutonne taste like? La Moutonne 2023 delivers precise saline minerality layered with honeysuckle, citrus, green apple, and a distinctive chalky, wet-stone character. The palate is vibrant and taut, with touches of quince, fresh butter, and a long mineral finish.

How does La Moutonne compare to Domaine Raveneau Les Clos? Both are benchmark Chablis Grand Crus, but La Moutonne comes from a unique monopole that spans two appellations (Vaudésir and Preuses), giving it a broader aromatic profile, while Raveneau Les Clos emphasizes austere power from a single climat. La Moutonne is generally more accessible in price and allocation, though recent critical opinion notes it is now rivaling top Dauvissat cuvées in quality.

Is La Moutonne good for cellaring? La Moutonne's vibrant acidity, mineral backbone, and Grand Cru concentration give it strong aging potential — well-stored bottles from top vintages can develop beautifully over 10 to 20 years.

Where is La Moutonne made? La Moutonne is produced by Domaine Long-Depaquit in the town of Chablis, within the Burgundy wine region of northern France. The vineyard itself sits in a natural amphitheatre at the center of the Chablis Grand Cru slope, straddling the Vaudésir and Les Preuses climats.

What foods pair well with La Moutonne? Butter-poached lobster complements the wine's saline minerality; oysters on the half shell echo its marine aromatics; roast turbot with beurre blanc mirrors its richness and acidity; aged Comté cheese draws out the hazelnut undertones; and white truffle risotto highlights the wine's depth without overwhelming its elegance.

What sizes does La Moutonne come in? La Moutonne is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is La Moutonne worth the price? La Moutonne positions as a premium Chablis Grand Cru that represents strong value within its tier, particularly given its monopole status and consistent critical acclaim — a five-star Jasper Morris rating and a 93-point critics' average for the 2023 vintage place it among the appellation's elite at a more attainable level than the rarest Raveneau or Dauvissat bottlings.

Why La Moutonne?

La Moutonne's defining distinction is its site: a 2.35-hectare monopole vineyard that is the only Chablis Grand Cru to straddle two appellations, giving it an aromatic breadth and complexity that no single-climat wine can replicate. The amphitheatre exposure concentrates sunlight and channels cool air from the surrounding slopes, producing fruit with unusual ripeness and mineral tension in equal measure. Jasper Morris's five-star rating — his highest — reflects the consistency of this cuvée across vintages, and Burghound's 91–93 point range for the 2023 confirms the vintage's quality. For anyone seeking a Grand Cru Chablis with genuine historical provenance, distinctive terroir, and proven critical standing, La Moutonne stands as one of the appellation's most compelling expressions.