Old Melon à Queue Rouge vines, now around 55 years old, planted on the blue marls of Montigny, a terroir Michel believes is fundamentally made for Melon. As he likes to put it: “Why make a dry Chardonnay or any Savagnin if the land is made for Melon?”. After pressing into foudre (a 1000-liter oak cask) and completing its malolactic there, the wine is raised sous voile in 400-litre barrels, where the veil forms with unusual finesse on this marl. The 2018 is powerful yet balanced and high in acidity, with cool voile aromatics, notes of saffron and cardamom. It will age easily for 12–15 years, gaining more savoury length and complexity.