Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru En Cailleret
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A compact, stone-rich Premier Cru on the Côte de Beaune delivering mineral-driven Chardonnay with chalky precision and linear elegance.
En Cailleret is a 5.11-hectare Premier Cru climat in Chassagne-Montrachet producing mineral, structured Chardonnay. The site sits at 250 to 350 meters elevation on fossiliferous limestone soils with a southeast to south-southwest aspect. Its name derives from the French word for stones, a direct reference to the rocky, pebbly character of the vineyard floor.
- Total area: 5.11 hectares, classified Premier Cru in 1977
- Located in Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
- Planted exclusively to Chardonnay
- Elevation ranges from 250 to 350 meters with southeast to south-southwest aspect
- Soils are crinoidal limestone with fossiliferous marls and stony white marl
- A distinct lieu-dit separate from the neighboring Cailleret climat
- The Premier Cru classification system for Burgundy was officially established in 1943
Location and Classification
En Cailleret sits within the commune of Chassagne-Montrachet on the Côte de Beaune, covering just 5.11 hectares. It holds Premier Cru status, formally classified in 1977 under the broader Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru appellation. The climat is a distinct lieu-dit and should not be confused with the neighboring Cailleret vineyard. Burgundy's Premier Cru hierarchy itself was officially codified in 1943, giving decades of institutional recognition to these prized sites.
- Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru
- Classified as Premier Cru in 1977
- Distinct from neighboring Cailleret climat
- Also referred to as En Caillerets or Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Cailleret
Terroir and Soils
The vineyard benefits from a southeast to south-southwest aspect at elevations between 250 and 350 meters, with higher portions exceeding 300 meters. The soils are a hallmark of classic Chassagne terroir: crinoidal limestone rich in marine fossils, calcareous and fossiliferous marls, and beige marl, all underpinned by stony, rocky surfaces with white marl. The name En Cailleret derives directly from the French word 'caille,' meaning stones, a fitting tribute to the pebbly limestone that defines the site. The continental climate delivers warm growing seasons tempered by significant diurnal temperature variation, preserving the natural acidity essential for structured white Burgundy.
- Crinoidal limestone with fossiliferous marls dominates the soil profile
- Stony, rocky surfaces with white marl contribute to drainage and minerality
- Elevation of 250 to 350 meters moderates ripeness
- Southeast to south-southwest aspect maximizes solar exposure
Wine Style and Character
En Cailleret produces dry white Burgundy from Chardonnay with a clearly defined character shaped by its limestone-dominant soils. Wines show citrus and white flower aromatics, a chalky, linear minerality, and fresh, lively acidity. The body is medium to full, with a structural precision that rewards cellaring. The combination of stony soils and moderate elevation creates wines that lean toward elegance rather than weight, distinguishing them from the richer, broader styles found in lower-elevation Chassagne sites.
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Open Wine Lookup →Notable Producers
A small cluster of respected Chassagne-Montrachet estates work parcels within En Cailleret. Domaine Morey-Coffinet and Domaine Marc Colin are among the most consistently recognized names, alongside Joseph Colin, Domaine Buisson-Charles, Domaine Sylvain Morey, and Jean-Claude Ramonet. Given the vineyard's modest 5.11-hectare total, production is inherently limited across all producers.
- Domaine Morey-Coffinet
- Domaine Marc Colin and Joseph Colin
- Domaine Buisson-Charles
- Jean-Claude Ramonet and Domaine Sylvain Morey
Dry, mineral-driven Chardonnay with citrus fruit, white flowers, and chalky limestone character. Fresh acidity frames a medium to full body, with a linear, structured finish and restrained richness typical of higher-elevation Chassagne Premier Crus.
- Domaine Morey-Coffinet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Cailleret$80-120Benchmark producer for En Cailleret; showcases the climat's chalky minerality and linear structure with precision.Find →
- Domaine Marc Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Cailleret$90-130Family domaine with deep Chassagne roots; consistently captures the site's citrus and fossiliferous mineral character.Find →
- Joseph Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Cailleret$85-115Younger generation winemaking from an established family; precise and site-expressive with fresh acidity.Find →
- En Cailleret is a distinct climat, separate from the neighboring Cailleret; do not conflate the two on exams
- Total area is 5.11 hectares; classified as Premier Cru in 1977 under Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru
- Soils are crinoidal limestone with fossiliferous marls and white marl; the name references the stony site character
- Elevation: 250 to 350 meters; aspect: southeast to south-southwest; climate: continental
- Chardonnay is the sole permitted variety; wines are mineral-driven with chalky acidity and linear structure