The 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers is one of the high points of the range, unfurling in the glass with a lovely bouquet of lemon oil, green apples and wheat toast. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and incisive, with good concentration and a bright line of mouthwatering acidity. Vibrant and pure, it is well worth seeking out.

The 2016 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru les Vergers comprises of just four barrels in this vintage, one-quarter of the usual crop and obviously one of the most affected by the frost (along with Chenevottes). Still, there is good intensity on the nose with bright citrus fruit laced with orange zest and touches of almond, the oak lending a bit of heft. The palate is taut and linear with a light reduction on the entry, quite candied in the mouth, although I found that reduction a little too conspicuous on the finish and rendering it a little generic in style. I will be interested to revisit this once in bottle.

The 2015 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers is one of Philippe's favourites this year. It was showing the most reduction from the five Chassagne premier crus that I tasted with Philippe Colin. Just traces of citrus fruit and a touch of flint. The palate is harmonious right from the start, rounded in the mouth albeit missing some acidity and race towards the finish. It just found the Maltoie and the Clos Saint-Jean display more tension at the moment, but let's see how it turns out in bottle.

Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting, Colin's 2014 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru les Vergers has an uncomplicated bouquet with light Golden Delicious and a pond water/algae-like scent that became more pronounced in the glass. The palate is balanced with a touch of spice on the entry, gentle and harmonious even if it feels a tad soft on the finish. This does not quite match up to my hopes from barrel, and I would drink now and over the next 5-6 years.

Tasted blind at the annual “Burgfest” tasting in Bouilland. The 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers has an attractive, slightly resinous, tree sap-tinged bouquet with hints of dried honey. There is less of the flintiness that I remarked upon prior to bottling. The palate is crisp on the entry with sharp, bitter lemon notes. There is presence and body to this Chassagne-Montrachet and it veers towards a spicy, almost fiery finish complemented by a smear of honey. For want of a better expression, it just lacks the "sparkle" it showed from barrel, however, I suspect it will improve with continued bottle age. Tasted May 2016.