The 1991 Chevalier-Montrachet (100 cases produced) appears to be richer, deeper, more alcoholic and powerful than the 1992. There are gobs of sweet fruit, as well as a tremendous, almost oily thickness to it. This beautiful Chardonnay is reminiscent of the remarkable 1980 and 1981 from Chalone. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
Niellon's 1991s are special wines. He makes no bones about saying that much of his low-yielding vineyards were harvested before the rains. The yields in 1991 were a minuscule 20-25 hectoliters per hectare.
Michel Niellon is among the top half dozen white burgundy producers. He consistently turns out brilliant, frequently awesome wines from his tiny domaine of 12.5 acres. In terms of decadence and complexity, Niellon is at the top of my personal shopping list. He fashioned terrific 1992s and 1991s.
Importer: Chateau and Estates, New York, NY