The 1992s were bottled a month before I saw them, and despite Niellon's belief that they were subdued, I was blown away by most of them. Niellon's perennially low yields are reflected in his wines. Even in lighter years, they possess a superb mid-palate and that unctuous, rich, chewy personality that can only emanate from low yielding Chardonnay vines. The 1992s are all fat, ripe, concentrated wines. The sensational 1992 Chassagne-Montrachet-Clos St.-Jean is fatter, richer, and longer than the Chassagne-Montrachet and the Les Chamaps Gains. From both an aromatic and flavor perspective, it is even more compelling than Les Champs Gains. It exhibits fabulous richness, unbelievable quantities of glycerin and fruit extraction, and lusty alcohol levels. Drink this decadent, blockbuster white burgundy over the next 6-7 years.
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