Domaine Ramonet is one of the finest producers in Burgundy, known for the Chardonnay from Chassagne Montrachet village to Montrachet Grand Cru. Domaine Ramonet has been producing consistently high quality Chardonnay in Chassagne Montrachet for 3 generations, it is difficult to talk about Chassagne Montrachet without mentioning Ramonet.
Brief History
Pierre Ramonet came to Burgundy in the late 1920s with nothing more than a knapsack, he started off buying grapes and vinifying them, then later buying his first vineyard in the 1930s. Domaine Ramonet gained a lot of attention very soon after bottling his first wines in his estate. Clive Cotes even wrote ‘Ramonet in white is the equivalent of Henri Jayer or the DRC in red’. By 1950s, Pierre has acquired a handsome holding of Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards in the Montrachet hill. Amusingly, when Pierre Ramonet has saved enough money in the 1978 and decided to buy a plot in the mighty Montrachet vineyard, he went to the lawyer’s office in Beaune and paid in a thick wad of cash.
2017 Vintage Update
Domaine Ramonet had a fruitful harvest in 2017, it was the first time in their history to have three rows of barrels in the cellar, they produced 120,000 bottles. Ramonet manages 19 hectares of vineyards across 25 appellations, mostly from own vineyards, some rented (affermage).
The rise of competition and Premox
‘Domaine Ramonet no longer dominates the White Burgundy market as it once did.’ There are now a lot more promising producers in Chassagne Montrachet than ever before, names like Bernard Moreau, Vincent Dancer, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Paul Pillot, etc. Not to mention top producers from neighbouring communes such as Domaine Leflaive and Domaine d’Auvenay.
Domaine Ramonet had a serious issue with premature oxidation (premox) in the mid 90s, with especially high risk of premox from the 1995 and 1996 vintage. Pajat Parr mentioned in his article A Warning on White Burgundy on Wine Spectator ‘If you compare Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachets from 1986 and 1996, the truth will be revealed. The 1986 is fresher and more vibrant than the younger wine.’ The Domaine admitted there was an issue with the cork supplier for the 1995 vintage and in 1996 many producers encountered stubborn malolactic fermentation. Many of them were left with no choice but to leave their wines in warmer parts of the cellar, and also the wines were left without the protection of sulphur dioxide for a longer period of time.
For more information and concerns about the risks of premox in specific vintages for Domaine Ramonet, please visit Oxidised Burgs Ramonet.
Winemaking Style
All vines at Domaine Ramonet under 18 years old are declassified and excluded in top cuvées, hence most of the vines that goes into their wines are old and offers low yield. Fermentation starts off in stainless steel tanks then are transferred to barrels when near completion. The wines are aged in oak barrels for 12-15 months. Village wines gets less than 10% of new oak, most Premier Crus sees 25% new oak (with the exception of Ruchottes, which gets 40%), and Grand Cru wines are aged in 50-75% new oak. Montrachet receives up to 100% new oak. There are extended lees contact but Domaine Ramonet has gradually eliminated batonnage over the years, believing batonnage ‘standardises the wines’.
Vineyard Holdings
Montrachet Grand Cru 0.26 ha, Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 0.45 ha, Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 0.53 ha, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos St Jean, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Boudriotte Rouge, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru La Boudriotte Blanc, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Caillerets, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Le Caillerets, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Ruchottes, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumees, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Champs Canet, Puligny Montrachet Les Enseigneres, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Saint Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly, Saint Aubin 1er Cru Le Charmois, Saint Aubin 1er Cru Murgers des Dents de Chien, Pernard Vergelesses Les Belles Filles, Bourgogne Aligote, Bourgogne Blanc, Bouzeron (aligote).
Tasting Notes
Aligote Bouzeron 2017
Domaine Ramonet has an affermage contract on this Aligote vineyard. This 2017 Aligote has a bight acidity and zingy lime fruits. Zesty tree fruits and supple cream. Simple and lively, perfect for lunch. (83+/100)
Bougogne Blanc 2017
Domaine Ramonet’s Bourgogne Blanc comes from Chassagne Montrachet commune. This 2017 offers nervy citrus and apples, lovely brightness and some phenol grip on the palate. Tree fruits, yellow melons and fine cream. Traces of Chassagne Montrachet yellow fruits. (84/100)
Saint Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly 2014
Not to overlook En Remilly. Ramonent Saint Aubin En Remilly is a top contender in Saint Aubin along with Hubert Lamy. This 2014 En Remilly has some lovely purity and bursting minerals and mild citrus fruits. Fragile flavours and subtle nose compared with his Chassagne Montrachet Clos de Caillerets. Nonetheless it’s got lovely purity and beautiful minerals. Moderate balance. One of the best Saint Aubin terroir and a civilised Saint Aubin wine. This would make a great lunch wine. (86-87/100)
Saint Aubin 1er Cru Murgers des Dents de Chien 2016
Domaine Ramonet produces one of the best wines from Saint Aubin along with Hubert Lamy and PYCM. This 2017 Dent de Chien offers a lifted bouquet of succulent orchard fruits, toasty new oak spices and buttery body. Proper Premier Cru weight with superb crystalline acidity and tension. One to look out for. (88-89/100)
Puligny Montrachet Les Nosroyes 2017
In all honesty, Puligny Montrachet is not Ramonet’s strong suit. This Puligny Montrachet village was more restrained on the nose compared to Chassagne Montrachet. Good weight but with a lower pitched tree fruits. White pear fruits and toasted lees. Medium minor bodied with lovely acidity. (85/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 2010
The 2010 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet Blanc punches above its weight, it is certainly a good contestant for one of the finest Chassagne Montrachet village wines. Tasted blind – Green tree fruits, pear, apples, ripe citrus. Lovely transparency and elegant creamy display of fruits. Clean, subtle purity. The zingy fruits suggested Chassagne. There is an underlying linear minerality on the palate. There is a lack of tension but harmonious and balanced. Chardonnay, 2011, Chassagne Montrachet? (88/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 2012
Domaine Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet is one of the best value wines from this highly regarded producer. A gentle village wine with good volume (only 10% new oak) from a good winemaker that can be mistaken as an entry level Premier Cru. Restrained tree fruits and some extraction (bitter lemon) on the palate. Fairly good weight but overshadowed by Le Moine Nuits St Georges Blanc tonight. This Chassagne is a good introduction to Ramonet style. This will continue to develop over the next few years. (88/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 2017
The 2017 Chassagne Montrachet was bottled in end of November 2018. Fresh pear fruits with restrained creamy tone and gentle oak spices. 30% new oak. Lovely fruit density and freshness that should be lovely to drink over the next few years. (86+/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Boudriotte Blanc 2009
Tasted blind – Initially there was a strange funky cream note that we couldn’t quite picture where it was coming. Full-bodied, ripe orchard fruits and peach tone, the thick and oily texture on the palate as well as the mild acidity reminds us of Northern Rhone. Viognier, Condrieu? 2008? (86/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Boudriotte Blanc 2014
Tasted blind – Bright yellow fruits, fresh lemon, peach and spiced cream. Good nerve and energy. Great concentration and intensity. Lovely creaminess with fine minerals. There is some reduction on the nose. Great purity and winemaking, though it seems too young to show its true potential. Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru 2013? La Boudriotte is a small Premier Cru that is technically a sub-division of Morgeot, and Ramonet is one of the highly regarded producers in Chassagne Montrachet La Boudriotte. (90-91/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Boudriotte Blanc 2016
The 2016 Boudriotte offers a satisfactory array of tree and melon fruits. Feminine nose of white fruits, supple gunpowder and wet stones. Lovely depth and intensity for Boudriotte, a Premier Cru in Chassagne that hasn’t always been under my radar. A wine to drink over the next 15 – 20 years. (87/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Blanc 2009
This 2009 Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot is charming and not shy with its bouquet. Ramonet wines are some of the most beautifully made white Burgundies, they make mostly Premier cru to Grand Cru vineyards in Chassagne Montrachet and Puligny Montrachet. Good warmth and legs in the glass, very typical of this hot vintage. Fine core of exotic fruits and good roundness. Ripeness is apparent yet it is balanced and focused. Low acid, a wine to drink sooner than later. Generous and ambitious white wine. (88/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Caillerets Monopole 2014
Caillerets wines are balanced and high in acidity, a bit more sophisticated than its neighbour Champs Gain, which is a bit more citrus foward. Chassagne Montrachet vineyards are quite confusing- Clos du Cailleret (not to be confused with Les Caillerets) is one of the five terroirs in Les Caillerets. Quite gorgeous on the nose with bouquet of ripe yellow fruits and melons. Refined and silly texture. (91-92/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Caillerets Monopole 2016
Ramonet started making this cuvee in 2014. This 2016 Clos du Caillerets offers lovely brightness and energy of ripe tree fruits, pear and citrus with a generous layer of lees. There is some tartness of the palate and not as intense as the Dent de Chien served beforehand. (87/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Ruchottes 2016
Les Ruchottes is the sweet spot at Domaine Ramonet, a solid Premier Cru with Grand Cru qualities without at a fraction of the Grand Cru prices. Their parcel of Ruchottes was planted in 1923 by Pierre. This 2016 Ruchottes offers a bright array of fatty pear fruits, deeply laced orchard fruits with zingy lees and phenol grip on the palate. Great tension and almost Grand Cru weight. (92/100)
Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 1986
This 1986 Ramonet Bienvenue Batard Montrachet from magnum offers an incredible freshness and vibrancy. Pungent white fruits with a rich buttery base, subtle brioche, corn, and butterscotch. Intense and seductive aromas. Deep and sensational. Full bodied with good precision and acidity. Not quite as complex as Montrachet but it shows an incredible length. A monumental wine that reminds us not drink white Burgundy too young. Apparently white Burgundy from 80s have lower risk of premox than late 90s. (95/100)
Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2013
Tasted blind and was initially confused even with the grape variety. Mild reduction. Sweet slight popcorn nose. Sweet and delicate Chardonnay with floral nose, leesy and glycerol. Bright minerals, good Premier Cru weight with great depth, great winemaking. 2010? Meursault 1er Cru from a very good producer? (93/100)
Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2016
The Bienvenues Batard Montrachet from Ramonet has a pretty bouquet of hibiscus and iris that is quite distinctive compared to their other Grand Crus. A step up in weight and power from the beautiful 1er Cru Ruchottes. Their Bienvenues Batard Montrachet suffered some frost in 2016, it offers a restrained Puligny fruits and supple oak influence, quite reserved at this stage but showing some latent energy and phenol grip on the palate. Drink from 2023. (93/100)
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 1992
The 1992 Ramonet Batard Montrachet is a brilliantly young and nervy wine. This is my first time trying a 1992 Grand Cru White Burgundy, and it appears to be a great vintage that yielded some elegant and refined Chardonnay. Wonderful richness without any oily or heaviness. Great perfume of honeysuckle, caramelised minerals, good concentration of pear and tree fruits white flowers, with hints of white mushrooms. Remarkable balance and sophistication in this wine. Drink now – 2038. (95+/100)
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 1999
Tasted blind – Pale lemon colour, looks like a very youthful wine from the light colour. A continuous flow of ripe tree fruits and yellow fruits with a mellow spiced backbone. Outstanding purity and lift of bright fruits, lime, refined white peach and honeysuckle. 2012, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru by a good winemaker? Great elegance, unbelievably young and with latent intensity. As the wine warmed up it offered more luxurious aromas of exotic spices, buttery scotch sweet oak, and a hint of truffle. (93-94/100)
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2013
The 2013 Ramonet Batard Montrachet shows delicious butterscotch, vanilla, and orchard fruit. Creamy but offers great detail and depth to the yellow fruit and citrus flavours. The Ramonet Batard Montrachet exhibit the hallmark power and richness of Batard Montrachet, but not without the discreet blend of fruit, minerals and oak. Full bodied, richer on malolactic creamy richness with lovely sleek mineral balance. (94-95/100)
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2016
Domaine Ramonet owns a parcel of Batard located right above their Bienvenues Batard Montrachet plot all the way up to Montrachet. This 2016 Batard Montrachet offers more ripe fruits and intense citrus than the Bienvenues Batard Montrachet. Oily flowers with a glossy tree fruit note. Viscous yet elegant. One of the more energetic 2016 whites from Ramonet with lovely acidity. (93-94/100)
Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2007
Incredibly lucky to have two bottles of Ramonet Chevalier Montrachet served side by side to observe any bottle variations. Sophisticated nose of minerals, buttery ripe citrus. Some 2007 white Burgundy has a young profile of fruits and tight acidity, as if the wine had a Botox injection. Full bodied, fresh fruits with hints of dust initially (on one of the two bottles). The second bottle was clean and immaculate with sophisticated creamy minerals and generosity. Gorgeous wines. (95/100)
Montrachet Grand Cru 1998
The 1998 Ramonet Montrachet is a huge wine. Big, bold, expressive ripe fruits with generous honey and spices. Great concentration, ripeness and powerful. A brilliantly made Montrachet that exhibits completeness. Very generous aromas with ripe orchard fruits, lemon oil, buttery popcorn and hints of botrytis in the background. Developing with mature flavours of sous bois, white mushrooms and dried tropical fruits note. A serious Montrachet. (97-98/100)
Montrachet Grand Cru 2016
Sadly 50% of Ramonet’s Montrachet plot suffered from frost. The Montrachet offers a sumptuous nose and weight with great roundness on the palate. Charming ripe tree fruits, citrus and waxy orchard fruits. Summer flowers and stoney minerals integrated with the precision and tension. A generous Montrachet that should need 15 years to reach to its prime drinking window. (95/100)
