Les Combards

Les Combards occupies a tiny 0.65 hectares on the heights of the Chassagne-Montrachet village, sitting at the highest elevation point in the entire appellation. As a Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru, it belongs to the broader Cailleret umbrella grouping, which also encompasses Vigne Derrière and the lieu-dit simply called Chassagne. The climat faces south-southeast, orienting its vines toward maximum sun exposure even at altitude. Production is shared between two established Chassagne estates, Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay and Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard.

• Classified as Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru under the Cailleret umbrella
• Located on the high ground above the village, bordered by woodland
• South-southeast facing aspect at the appellation's highest elevation
• Just 0.65 hectares total, split between two principal domaines

The soils at Les Combards are exceptionally stony and thin, sitting over a base of white marl with significant limestone and clay components. This combination of poor, rocky soils and high altitude forces vines to work hard, concentrating flavors while retaining natural acidity. The woodland surrounding the climat plays a defining role in its microclimate, moderating temperatures and creating cooler growing conditions than lower-lying Chassagne lieux-dits. This coolness is widely credited for the distinctive freshness and lifted character the wines consistently show.

• Very stony, thin rocky soils with white marl bedrock
• Limestone and clay subsoil typical of the Côte de Beaune
• Higher altitude than neighboring En Caillerets
• Surrounding woods create a cooler, more sheltered microclimate

Les Combards produces Chardonnay of a distinctly fresh and lively character, setting it apart from the richer, more textural style found in lower-elevation Chassagne premier crus. Lemon citrus, mineral stoniness, and a taut, linear structure define the profile. These are not the broad, generous whites of grands crus like Bâtard-Montrachet; instead they offer precision and energy. The combination of thin, stony soils with a cooler woodland microclimate translates directly into wine with elevated natural acidity and a pronounced mineral finish.

• Fresh and lively style, considered one of Chassagne's most vivacious whites
• Dominant notes of lemon citrus and wet stone minerality
• Linear, precise structure rather than broad or opulent
• Cooler microclimate preserves natural acidity through ripening

Given the climat's tiny size of just 0.65 hectares, the number of producers working Les Combards is very limited. Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay and Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard are the principal names associated with this vineyard, and both have long track records across the Chassagne-Montrachet premier cru landscape. Jean-Noël Gagnard in particular has been one of Chassagne's most respected estates for decades, producing wines across multiple premier crus with an emphasis on precision and terroir expression.

• Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay: established Chassagne estate with premier cru holdings across the village
• Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard: long-standing, highly regarded Chassagne producer
• Tiny total size means very limited overall production from this climat