Chapelle de Blagny Sous le Dos d’Âne 2023: a rare Premier Cru red

Our recent Puligny-Montrachet parcel from Domaine Chapelle de Blagny sold out, so I wanted to follow it with something else from the estate. This one might surprise a few people.

Blagny 1er Cru Sous le Dos d’Âne 2023 is a Pinot Noir from the slopes between Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. These names usually bring white Burgundy to mind, but there are small pockets of red here too. This is one worth knowing about.

What makes this vineyard unusual?

The domaine has roughly one hectare of Pinot Noir in Sous le Dos d’Âne, the only parcel in this Premier Cru vineyard planted with the variety. The red wine takes the Blagny appellation rather than the neighbouring white-wine names you might recognise.

It’s a useful reminder that there’s still plenty to discover in Burgundy beyond the famous labels. Blagny doesn’t have the immediate recognition of Puligny-Montrachet, but that’s part of the interest for anyone who enjoys looking a little further.

The vineyards sit high on steep slopes, where the cooler conditions help preserve freshness. Beneath them are the clay-limestone soils that suit both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay so well.

The domaine behind our sold-out Puligny

Chapelle de Blagny takes its name from the 15th-century chapel beside the winery. The vineyards once belonged to the Cistercian Abbey of Maizières, before an ancestor of the present owner bought the property in 1811.

For generations, the family supplied grapes to local merchants. Bottling under their own name came much later.

That connection is why I wanted to offer this wine after the Puligny. It’s another side of the same estate, with a vineyard story of its own.

What does the 2023 taste like?

Expect ripe red berries, a subtle smoky note and gentle spice. The palate is generous and rounded, with bright fruit, supple tannins and a long finish.

In their assessment of the 2023, Burgundy merchant Haynes Hanson & Clark highlight its ripe aromas, soft texture and harmonious length. The grapes were fully destemmed before fermentation, and less than 30% new oak was used during ageing.

It’s an appealing style if you enjoy Pinot Noir with some generosity to the fruit and a silky feel. For food, I’d go for roast duck, chicken with mushrooms or a mushroom risotto.

When should you drink it?

Haynes Hanson & Clark suggest drinking from 2026 to 2035 and beyond. You can start opening it now, although there’s scope for further complexity with time in bottle.

That makes a case of six a good way to follow it. Enjoy a bottle or two young and leave the others for later, rather than feeling you need to put the whole lot away for a decade.

Our offer at Love Wine

Domaine Chapelle de Blagny, Blagny 1er Cru Sous le Dos d’Âne 2023 is £69 per bottle, or £354 for six.

That brings the case price to £59 a bottle, saving £60 across six bottles.

To reserve, email me with the number of cases you’d like, and I’ll confirm your reservation.