Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru La Boudriotte Blanc
Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny Montrachet
Whilst Chavys have been living in Puligny Montrachet for over 200 years it was not until 1986 that Gerard Chavy started to estate bottle his own wine (previously the wines were sold to negotiants). This Chardonnay by Jean-Louis Chavy is based on 20-60 year old vines. Les Tremblot, (more Puligny in character, as the soil is argileous, says Jean-Louis); Les Meix, Les Levrons (more rounded wine for there are more stones and gravel here and it is not so heavy), Corvée des Vignes and Les Reuchaux.
Ceritas Carex Chardonnay
Hartford Court Jennifer’s Chardonnay
Pierre-Vincent Girardin Puligny-Montrachet
Pierre-Vincent Girardin’s 2022 Puligny-Montrachet comes from two prized lieux-dits, “Les Charmes” and “Les Corvées des Vignes,” on the northern edge of the village. As a 13th-generation Burgundian who struck out on his own at 21, Girardin channels centuries of expertise into each bottle, making his young label a go-to for Chardonnays that marry pedigree with personality. These 30+ year-old vines thrive in clay-limestone soils under organic and biodynamic cultivation. Whole-cluster pressing feeds into 11 months of barrel ageing (40% new oak) before a further six months in stainless steel, preserving the wine’s tension and energy. The result is a wine of precision—bright grapefruit and gunflint notes cutting through a pure mineral core. Drinkable now for its vivid attack and sleek palate, this Puligny-Montrachet will also reward careful cellaring over the next 8–15 years. Serve at 12 ºC alongside poultry in sauce, veal with mushrooms, foie gras or simply grilled lobster and sea-fish. The Maker Pierre-Vincent Girardin cut his teeth under Burgundy’s grand domaines, then struck out on his own in 2012 with a singular goal: to distil the purest essence of Meursault’s storied terroir. Working single-parcel parcels across premier lieu-dits, he tends each vine personally—pruning, ploughing and hand-harvesting to ensure fruit arrives at the winery in immaculate condition. His background in oenology underpins a thoughtful, measured approach: fermentation is guided but never forced, and élevage prioritises transparency over showmanship. At the winery, Girardin champions whole-cluster vinification, letting indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction shape each cuvée. He favours large-format, 456-litre barrels (half new) to temper oak’s footprint, then finishes in stainless steel to lock in freshness and purity. Unfined and unfiltered, his wines arrive in bottle as faithful ambassadors of their origin—alive with mineral energy and poised acidity. Today, Pierre-Vincent’s range stands as a testament to small-scale craft. With annual production measured in thousands—not tens of thousands—of bottles, each release feels personal: a snapshot of vintage nuances and a window into Girardin’s relentless quest for balance. His wines are never ostentatious; they simply do their job with quiet confidence. Philosophy At the heart of Girardin’s endeavour lies a reverence for soil. His parcels—Casse-Têtes, Sous la Velle and La Barre Dessus—are chosen for their limestone-marl matrices, each site imparting its own textural signature. By isolating micro-terroirs, he lets geology speak: gunflint minerality, bright citrus tension and the chalky grip that defines top-flight Meursault. Sustainability is more than a buzzword here. Girardin farms organically, accepts vintage variability and avoids chemical shortcuts. Low yields are a feature, not a flaw; they concentrate flavour and ensure vines remain vigorous for generations to come. Every vineyard intervention—from cover crops to canopy management—is calibrated to nurture biodiversity and soil health. In cellar, restraint rules. Fermentation vessels are selected for nuance, élevage schedules are dictated by tasting rather than tradition, and assemblages are kept minimal to preserve site identity. Through these choices, the Girardin range emerges as a cohesive narrative: a clear, unvarnished voice that invites drinkers to explore Meursault one parcel at a time. Tasting Notes NOSE – Bright Citrus & Flint A vivid burst of grapefruit underpinned by delicate gunflint piquancy. PALATE – Crisp Mineral Core Ripe orchard fruits ride a steely, saline drive. FINISH – Lingering Chalky Zest Long persistence with a flinty, chalk-dust echo.
Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills, Tasmania
MAISON PONSOT Cuvee de la Mésange
Mount Macleod Chardonnay
Expressive aromas of lemon and grapefruit, with subtle mineral overtones and hints of vanilla and spice. A leaner style of Chardonnay with unusual complexity and interest for this sort of price and which will complement a range of dishes.