Bourgogne Couvent des Jacobins 2020 – Louis Jadot.
Burgundy is known for its iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, produced from excellent single vineyards all the way down to regional wines. In the history of Burgundy there was always a place for the estate wineries and those who made their money producing wines with bought grapes and trading those wines. The second group are known as “negociants”.
One of these negociants, probably the most iconic and successful one, is Maison Louis Jadot. In this review we are discussing their regional Chardonnay, a Bourgogne Blanc, known as “Bourgogne Couvent des Jacobins”.
About the Winery
The story of Louis Jadot started in 1859, or in 1826 depending on how you look at it. Louis Henri Denis Jadot bought his first vineyard in 1826 and founded his winery in 1859. While starting with his own vineyard he quickly turned to the negociant business, exporting wine to Northern Europe.
Louis’s descendants followed in his footsteps and enlarged the business, spreading it over the whole of Burgundy, from Chablis in the North of Burgundy all the way down to Beaujolais in the South. Their focus always remained on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with wines scaling up from regional to single vineyard. In total they make about 300(!) different wines nowadays.
About the Wine
What has to be said is that Louis Jadot makes two regional Chardonnays that are qualified as “Bourgogne Blanc”. There is the one that is simply named Bourgogne Blanc and there is the Bourgogne Couvent des Jacobins, which we are reviewing today.
This 2020 Couvent des Jacobins has its origin in vineyards across Burgundy. It is a balanced blend of Côte d’Or, Chalonnais and Viré-Clessé best vineyards. Mâconnais grapes give freshness while Côte d’Or and Chalonnais give the wine structure.
The vineyards are vinified separately before blended. Ageing lasts 8 to 10 months in oak barrels or in stainless steel vats before being bottled. This 100% Chardonnay is a wine to be enjoyed young and fresh, and is ready to consume within the first 5 years.
The wine opens with a medium lemon colour shining bright in the glass. The combined use of steel and oak guarantee the fruit and freshness survives but it gives you that extra volume and body, along with some richness to makes the wine stand up. On the nose this Chardonnay offers harmony and straight fruity notes such as peach, pear and grapefruit. The added vanilla, some caramel and toast widen the nose. Acidity and body are okay, with an ABV at 13%. An easy to drink wine, with a medium aftertaste. One could say this is a business card for Burgundy and its wines, although the diversity of its regions is not justified by saying that.
Our conclusion: A well-made wine that ticks all the boxes. A Chardonnay that shows you the richness of Burgundy and is produced by a top house. Complexity is limited, as is ageing potential, but what you get when you buy this wine more than justifies the cost. A fine white Bourgogne Blanc that will put a smile on the face of most Chardonnay lovers. In the end a Jadot never really disappoints.
This wine is reviewed by Niels Aarts. The wine is available online at Bovino.
Price: €22,75
Taste date: November 2022
Score: 90/100 DWA Score
Website: Louis Jadot