🏰 The 2018 white Burgundy vintage was characterized by heat and dryness, with high yields, particularly for Chardonnay. Despite concerns about maladies, the growing season presented few challenges, leading to an early and successful flowering. The resulting white wines are generally rich and surprisingly fresh, with good energy despite lower analytical acidities. Many are approachable and delicious in their youth, though some have the potential for good aging. Joseph Colin's Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets 1er Cru 2018, from very old vines (40 to over 100 years old), offers explosive mineral tones, orchard fruit, and charred quince on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine mouthfeel, terrific intensity, and minerality, leading to an impressively layered and persistent finish. It's a wine that combines power and refinement, with a beautiful fruit-acid balance and waves of white fruit infused with flecks of minerality. Critics have noted its stunning bouquet of crushed wet limestone, subtle citrus peel, and light smoky notes, with beautifully integrated oak. 🍴 This exquisite white Burgundy would be a superb pairing for rich seafood dishes like pan-seared scallops or lobster, roasted poultry with cream sauces, or aged hard cheeses. Its minerality and freshness also make it a good match for truffle-based cuisine. 🥂 An excellent choice for a sophisticated dinner, a celebration of fine white Burgundy, or a tasting for connoisseurs who appreciate the depth and complexity of a Premier Cru. 【Joseph Colin, the younger brother of Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, established his own highly-regarded domaine in 2017, quickly gaining recognition for his exceptional Chassagne-Montrachet.】