Santenay
1er Cru Passetemps 2024
This is the Côte d’Or’s southernmost appellation, located just to the south of Chassagne-Montrachet …
Origin
Santenay’s vineyards stretch across 400 ha of which 123 ha are planted with Premier Cru vines, divided into 3 distinct zones.
The climat "Passetemps", located in the North of the appellation, is composed by two plots on a hillside located just below the "Clos des Mouches". and not far from the village of Chassagne-Montrachet. The vines are exposed south-east and benefit from a predominantly clay soil.
The name "Passetemps" probably comes from the fact that it was nice to spend time working on these plots.
Viticulture
Grape variety: chardonnay
Soils: mostly clay.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0.4173 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 11 hL/ha
Average age of the vine: 59 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 22 September 2024.
The grapes were handpicked.
At the winery: the whole bunches of grapes were gently pressed for 2½ hours. The temperature of the must was brought down to 12°C then was immediately transferred to barrels with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees.
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 17 months in a 450-L barrel, with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. 50% new oak barrel.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity on March 16, 2026, wine fined with bentonite, light filtration.
Number of bottles: 573.
Vintage
Elegant and Structured
The 2024 vintage, marked by limited sunshine and frequent rainfall, required constant attention in the vineyard. At Les Ursulines, meticulous sorting allowed the selection of the most promising grapes (with very low yields in red), fully expressing the qualitative potential of the harvest. The result meets our highest expectations: the whites display beautiful freshness and acidity, while the reds reveal intense fruit character and supple tannins.
Ageing potential: 10 years and more.
Tasting notes
This wine reveals a bright pale gold color. The nose opens with a generous bouquet of apricot and passion fruit, supported by elegant, well-integrated oak. On the palate, a velvety, slightly creamy texture brings richness while maintaining a fine balance. The finish, marked by a pleasant acidity, is long and persistent.
