Domaine Laurent Cognard Montagny Cuvee Maxence 2015

Laurent Cognard began domaine bottling his family's wines in 1997 and today farms 26 acres of vines in the appellations of Montagny, Mercurey, and Pouilly-Loché. The specialty of the domaine is white wine, though a small amount of Mercurey rouge is also produced. The vineyards are farmed lutte raisonée (“reasoned struggle”). 

The region of Côte Chalonnaise extends 15.5 miles from the southern end of the Côte d'Or to the Mâconnais in the south. Soils are like the Côte d'Or with weathered limestone and clay. Laurent Cognard's 26 acres are spread across Montagny, Mercurey, and Pouilly-Loché in the Mâconnais. 

Cuvée Maxence is named after Laurent's eldest daughter and is a special selection of very ripe Chardonnay grapes from the domaine's premier cru vineyards in Montagny. The grapes are trained to a maximum yield of 30-hectoliters per hectare and are harvested later to give full ripeness. Fermentation and aging 100% is done in new oak barrels with regular “bâtonnage." Cuvée Maxence is only produced in exceptional years.

Tasting Notes

White wines from the Côte Chalonnaise are sometimes leaner and tarter than those from the Côte de Beaune despite being further south. The hilly terrain draws in cool westerly winds which delays ripening and brings freshness to the wines. Limestone soils give an underpinning of minerality and oak aging lends warmth and texture.

Food Pairing

White Burgundy, with its rich texture and toasted flavors, pairs well with white fish and shellfish, and its naturally high acidity can counterbalance cream-based sauces. Oak-aging lends itself well to grilled fish, starches, butter, and toasted nuts.