Louis Latour, Montagny 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) 2018

 The Côte Chalonnaise is the source of many fine value white Burgundies.  Situated just south of the Côte d’Or, the villages here are noted for both red and white wines.  The vineyards are interspersed with orchards and pastures, a scene that provides a charming backdrop for the vines.  The best appellation for white wines is Montagny.  In fact, all the wines under the Montagny AOP are white.  Louis Latour’s 2018 Montagny La Grande Roche bottling is drawn from 35-year-old vines and shows the potential of Montagny Chardonnays.  The bouquet shows ripe apple, pineapple, lemon and lime fruits with crisp minerality plus floral, herb, and subtle almond nuances.  The flavors are refreshing and lively with the pure, racy citrus and apple fruits interwoven with nutty, herbal, butter and mineral nuances.  The buttery and spicy notes in the mid-palate recall the style of other more famous and expensive white Burgundies.  The Louis Latour Montagny La Grande Roche shows remarkable depth and nuance for its relatively friendly price.