Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "La Maltroie" 2004, Guy Amiot

Third white wine in a blind tasting, this is a large premier cru with 11.61 ha under vine. Medium-thick yellow colour suggests significant bottle age. Plenty of brassy tints. The nose is warm, suggestive of almond croissants or as one taster (Jenson Buttonhurst) suggested "galette des rois". The buttery warmth continues on the second nose with ripe apricots and oak derivatives such as vanilla. Indicates plenty of new oak in the élevage. This wine really arrives on the palate with glorious ripe peach and apricot fruit, typical of Chassagne. Its flavour profile is broad due to the medium++ body not long since the acidity has tailed off. Much more happening on the palate than on the nose; the trade-off one has to accept for more mature white Burgundies. Scores 24/30 for a Chassagne 1er Cru.