Presentation
Installé à Montagny-lès-Buxy, au cœur de la Côte Chalonnaise, le Domaine Maxime Millet s’inscrit dans la dynamique qualitative de cette appellation reconnue pour l’expression minérale et ciselée du Chardonnay. Créé au début des années 2010, le domaine est né de la volonté de Maxime Millet de valoriser les terroirs familiaux et de développer une signature propre, fidèle à l’identité de Montagny. Le vignoble couvre aujourd’hui environ une dizaine d’hectares, principalement situés sur les coteaux argilo-calcaires caractéristiques de l’appellation. Cette implantation privilégiée permet de produire des vins marqués par la fraîcheur, la tension et une belle précision aromatique. Le domaine concentre son travail sur les appellations phares du secteur, notamment Montagny Village et Montagny Premier Cru, ainsi que quelques cuvées en appellation régionale Bourgogne. Attaché à une viticulture respectueuse de l’environnement, Maxime Millet conduit ses vignes avec exigence et bon sens agronomique. Le travail des sols, la maîtrise des rendements et l’observation attentive de chaque parcelle traduisent une approche parcellaire rigoureuse. En cave, les vinifications visent à préserver la pureté du fruit et la lecture du terroir, avec un élevage mesuré, souvent en fûts, afin d’apporter structure et complexité sans masquer la minéralité naturelle des vins. À travers une production volontairement maîtrisée, le Domaine Maxime Millet incarne une nouvelle génération de vignerons de la Côte Chalonnaise : une génération tournée vers la précision, l’équilibre et l’authenticité, soucieuse de révéler avec justesse l’identité des climats de Montagny.
Location
In the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise in Burgundy, the Montagny Premier Cru appellation is exclusively dedicated to Chardonnay. “Les Platières” comes from hillside parcels with ideal exposure, allowing slow and even ripening. This elevated position preserves natural freshness and gives the wine its defining tension — a hallmark of top-tier Montagny white wines.
Terroir
The vineyard is rooted in classic Burgundian clay-limestone soils, rich in marl and fractured limestone. This mineral foundation shapes the wine’s precision and saline finish. The terroir acts as a pure amplifier of Chardonnay: refined aromatics, vibrant structure, and a chalky persistence that defines the identity of Montagny Premier Cru.
In the vineyard
Vine work focuses on controlling yields and achieving natural balance in the fruit. Careful canopy management and soil maintenance encourage deep root systems and optimal ripeness. Every decision — pruning, debudding, harvest timing — is driven by one objective: producing a Chardonnay that is concentrated yet energetic, expressive yet precise.
Harvest
Grapes are harvested at optimal maturity to preserve the balance between freshness and aromatic depth. Strict selection ensures only healthy, perfectly ripe berries enter the cellar. This attention to detail at harvest is key to maintaining purity and consistency in the final wine.
Winemaking
Gentle pressing protects the finesse of the fruit. Fermentation is conducted with precision to retain aromatic clarity and structural tension. The approach is minimalist: guide the wine, never dominate it. The goal is a luminous, terroir-driven expression of Burgundy Chardonnay.
Ageing
Aging is carefully managed to add depth without overshadowing the wine’s natural minerality. Lees work enhances texture and mouthfeel, building subtle complexity. When oak is used, it remains discreet, supporting structure rather than marking the wine. The result is balance between generosity and freshness.
Serving
Serve between 10–12°C (50–54°F) to highlight the wine’s vibrancy and mineral backbone. A brief aeration in the glass enhances aromatic expression. Best enjoyed in a Burgundy-style white wine glass to allow the wine’s volume and finesse to unfold.
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
The nose opens with notes of ripe citrus, white flowers, and a subtle hint of fresh butter integrated with elegance. On the palate, the attack is clean and energetic, leading to a textured yet vibrant mid-palate. The finish is long, saline, and chalk-driven, a true reflection of its limestone terroir. This is a Premier Cru that combines generosity with precision.
Food pairings
A gastronomic white wine, perfectly suited to pan-seared scallops, sole meunière, creamy mushroom risotto, or Bresse chicken with cream sauce. Its mineral tension also pairs beautifully with a refined ceviche, grilled seafood, or delicate poultry dishes. With cheese, opt for soft-ripened varieties or aged goat cheese to echo the wine’s freshness and texture.