2022 Xavier Monnot Les Charmes Directly from the Cellar

"This has been a rather over-looked Meursault producer, but readers should look out for their 2022s because there’s undoubtedly an uptick in quality."

The above quote comes from Neal Martin of Vinous in connection with his review of the 2022 Xavier Monnot Meursault Les Charmes. Xavier’s 2022s represent a vintage worth keeping an eye on – a noticeable improvement in quality that will likely mean Monnot is soon overlooked no more.

And it is precisely the 2022 vintage that you now have the opportunity to invest in. White Burgundy premier cru. Directly from the producer.

Direct Allocation – White Burgundy Premier Cru

If you have followed us for any length of time, you will know that white Burgundy is a category we are deeply invested in – a category we strongly believe in. That is why we do everything we can to secure allocations and positions that we can offer our investors.

And while you are likely already familiar with the arguments for investing in white Burgundy, here is a brief introduction nonetheless.

The world’s finest white wines come from Burgundy. Demand exceeds supply—a trend that will only intensify as climate change takes hold, bringing serious challenges. Not in terms of quality, but in terms of quantity.

And then we have a producer like Xavier Monnot. A producer from whom we have secured direct allocation. A producer whose 2022 vintage has impressed Vinous.

"We have followed Xavier Monnot for years. He is a talented winemaker producing at the same high level as Henri Boillot. Xavier crafts precise, clean, and elegant Meursault. And I am not surprised that he is now beginning to receive the recognition he deserves."

 – Mads Jensen, CEO, RareWine Group

2022 Xavier Monnot Meursault Charmes Premier Cru: Quality, Quantity, and Price

Vinous’ statement that Xavier Monnot "has been a rather over-looked Meursault producer" is also reflected in the sporadic scores awarded by our usual critics to Monnot’s Meursault Les Charmes. So far, only Vinous has provided ratings – a so-called barrel score of 92-94 points and an estimated drinking window of 2026 – 2042.

Xavier Monnot owns 1.2 hectares in the Charmes vineyard, which, according to Burgundy’s strict production regulations, allows for an annual yield of 10,240 bottles. However, for the 2022 vintage, total production is limited to just 7,284 bottles.

And because we have secured a direct allocation, we can offer a price of €90 per bottle. For comparison, the lowest current offer for the 2022 Xavier Monnot Les Charmes on wine-searcher.com is €111.

NB! It is worth noting that the highest classification in the Meursault appellation is Premier Cru (and Les Charmes is considered one of the best). In fact, there are no Grand Cru vineyards in Meursault, more due to historical reasons than quality! Therefore, the 2022 Xavier Monnot Les Charmes offers access to one of the best vineyards at the highest classification in Meursault for €90 – a price that, in the context of Burgundy, is truly modest.

Price excl. customs, VAT, and duties. Available in full cases and in perfect condition.

Introduction to Domaine Xavier Monnot

Domaine Xavier Monnot is a prestigious winery in Burgundy with a history dating back to 1723. For six generations, the Monnot family has cultivated vines in Côte de Beaune. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that the estate took its current name, when Xavier Monnot began bottling wines under his own brand. Before that, the estate was known as Domaine René Monnier, named after his grandfather.

When Xavier took over in 1994, he initiated a major modernization process. He replanted several parcels with a mix of old and new vines and invested in state-of-the-art cellar equipment to refine vinification. Today, the estate owns 17 hectares of vineyards across some of the most sought-after appellations in Côte de Beaune, from Beaune to Maranges. Production is split 60% white wine and 40% red wine, with a strong focus on Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay, and Pommard.

What makes Xavier Monnot a particularly interesting producer in Burgundy is his ability to combine tradition with innovation. He practices lutte raisonnée, a sustainable viticulture approach, and crafts wines with deep respect for terroir. His white wines are known for their purity, freshness, and precision, while his red wines showcase elegance and finesse, striking a perfect balance between fruit and structure.

His premier cru vineyards are particularly noteworthy, including Meursault Charmes, Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières, and Volnay Clos des Chênes. Monnot employs a combination of traditional and modern techniques in the cellar, allowing for natural fermentation and adjusting oak usage based on each wine’s character.

This blend of heritage, innovation, and terroir-driven vinification has made Xavier Monnot a rising star among Burgundy producers.

White Burgundy: The World's Finest in Limited Supply

When it comes to the world’s finest white wines, Burgundy stands unrivaled. No other region produces wines of such elegance and complexity – yet paradoxically, production is extremely limited.

Looking at global wine production, France accounts for approximately 18% of the total volume. However, Burgundy contributes only 3% of all French wine and represents less than 0.5% of the world’s total wine production. The share of investment-grade wines is even smaller, as we primarily focus on the two most prestigious subregions – Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, collectively known as Côte d’Or. When we say that white Burgundy is produced in limited quantities, it is almost an understatement.

At RareWine Trading, we are witnessing a significant surge in demand for white Burgundy, particularly in the more accessible segment of the market. As a result, we continuously acquire wines from promising producers who possess the right vineyard plots and share our long-term philosophy. Our goal is not just to secure an attractive supply in the short term but to position ourselves for a clear trend: White Burgundy is becoming increasingly sought after – and increasingly rare.

Climate Change is Negatively Impacting Burgundy’s Harvest Yields

Climate change has already affected current production levels. The question is: Will there be enough to go around in the future?

In recent years, weather phenomena such as rain, hail, mildew, and spring and night frosts have created massive challenges for Burgundy. The 2022 and 2023 vintages were relatively generous in both quality and quantity, but surrounding vintages have suffered severe losses. The 2021 vintage was described as “the worst agricultural disaster of the 21st century,” and the recently harvested 2024 vintage appears to be even worse. With an estimated yield loss of 16-18% compared to 2023, 2024 is expected to be the smallest harvest in over a century, alongside catastrophic vintages like 2017, 2019, and 2021.

According to William Kelley, Editor-in-Chief at Wine Advocate, 2024 was an extreme test for winemakers, who were pushed to their limits by cold, humidity, and an unprecedented outbreak of mildew. He emphasizes that climate change is no longer just a future concern – it has already left a significant mark on Burgundy.

The low production levels have also led many winemakers to withhold part of their 2023 releases so they can be released alongside the extremely limited 2024 vintage. This further underscores just how fragile the availability of white Burgundy has become – and how crucial it is to secure quantities now.

RareWine Invest's Opinion

At a time when production cannot keep up with demand – and where supply could become even more constrained in the future – securing access to the finest wines from Burgundy at a reasonable price point is becoming increasingly crucial.

Until now, Xavier Monnot has been, in Vinous’ words, a "rather overlooked" producer in Burgundy. However, considering the exceptional quality of the 2022 Xavier Monnot Meursault Les Charmes, it will likely become much harder for him to remain under the radar.

And this is precisely where the potential lies. Along with the fact that you may never see a price like this again. Meanwhile, demand for white Burgundy continues to rise, and climate change has taken hold to such an extent that the supply of premier and grand cru wines simply cannot keep up with the accelerating demand we anticipate in the future.

And really – who would notice if the price of this wine increased by 10% or even 20%?