$100 and over
Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny Montrachet
The story of Jean-Louis Chavy winery begins with Jean-Louis Chavy himself, who inherited the winery from his father. Jean-Louis was determined to uphold his family's legacy while also pursuing his passion for winemaking and striving to enhance the winery's reputation. Guided by his deep appreciation for the Burgundy region's terroir and microclimate, Jean-Louis embarked on a journey of innovation and meticulous craftsmanship. He embraced sustainable viticulture practices, carefully nurturing the vineyards with a strong commitment to environmental preservation. The winery's vineyards are home to decades-old vines that embody the essence of Puligny-Montrachet. At Jean-Louis Chavy winery, an unwavering dedication to quality is apparent throughout the winemaking process. Grapes are meticulously hand-picked at their peak ripeness and gently pressed to extract only the purest juice. Fermentation takes place in traditional oak barrels, imparting complexity and depth to the wines. The Chavy family believes in patience, allowing the wines to age gracefully in their cellars for several years, allowing the flavors to harmonize and reach their full potential. Renowned for their exceptional Chardonnay wines, particularly the Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru and Grand Cru offerings, Jean-Louis Chavy winery captivates the palate with a harmonious blend of citrus, stone fruit and subtle mineral notes. These wines are known for their longevity and can evolve in complexity over several decades. Jean-Louis employs classic winemaking techniques, including whole bunch pressing and temperature-controlled settling for 24 hours. He exclusively uses natural yeasts for fermentation and has discontinued the practice of battonage for several years. The estate's vineyards boast an impressive average age, with most vineyards aged between 20 and 40 years, while select vineyards in Folatieres and Clavoillons exceed 60 years. The use of new oak is restrained, with the village Puligny wines aged in 15% new oak and Premier Crus in 25%. In recent years, there has been a transition towards aging the wines in 350-liter barrels to minimize the influence of oak. While Jean-Louis does not own any Grand Cru vineyards, his Premier Crus are situated in proximity to some of Puligny's finest vineyards in the heart of the region. The Burgundy wine region in France is internationally renowned for its exceptional wines. Known for its terroir-driven approach, the region produces both red and white wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the predominant grape varieties. The diverse soil types contribute to the distinct characteristics of the wines and the winemaking practices prioritize minimal intervention. Puligny-Montrachet, a renowned wine region in Burgundy, France, is celebrated for its exquisite white wines. Located within the Côte de Beaune subregion, it is one of Burgundy's most esteemed appellations. What distinguishes Puligny-Montrachet is its exclusive focus on Chardonnay, which thrives in the region's limestone and clay-rich soils. The terroir contributes to the exceptional quality and character of the wines, attracting wine enthusiasts worldwide. Admired for their elegance, complexity and finesse, Puligny-Montrachet wines strike a remarkable balance of fruit, acidity and minerality. Each bottle embodies the unique terroir, reflecting the meticulous work of winemakers who prioritize quality and expression. These wines exhibit a pale golden colour and a complex flavour profile. With a refreshing acidity, they offer delicate floral notes, ripe orchard fruits like apples and pears and hints of citrus and minerality. Puligny-Montrachet wines showcase a harmonious balance of fruit and structure, combining ripe fruit flavors with subtle oak influences. Oak aging contributes to a creamy texture and complex notes of toasted nuts, vanilla and spices. The Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 2021 is a remarkable and intricate wine that embodies the essence of this renowned wine region. It displays a captivating bouquet of lemon peel, lemon curd and white grapefruit, accented by delicate hints of butter, yeast and bread dough. On the palate, it offers a velvety and creamy texture, complemented by flavors of hazelnuts, almonds, brioche and apple pie. The wine's impeccable balance and well-controlled acidity truly make it exceptional, with additional notes of lime, citrus, apple, pear, vanilla and peach enhancing its allure. The finish is nothing short of extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression of incredible minerality and vibrant acidity. With its commendable age, this wine showcases a remarkable complexity. A defining characteristic of this "village" Puligny-Montrachet is its enchanting floral and fruity aroma, which exudes both intensity and richness. The fresh acidity flawlessly counterbalances its richness, resulting in a wine that surpasses expectations. A harmonious blend of style and balance highlights the exceptional quality of this wine. Staying true to its Puligny character, it entices with notes of white peach and citrus, accompanied by subtle hints of nuts and baked bread. The distinctive minerality, a hallmark of Puligny-Montrachet, pairs seamlessly with shellfish dishes. It is the perfect companion for seafood, poultry, creamy sauces and subtly spiced dishes. Notably versatile, it can be enjoyed in its youth while also having the potential to age gracefully, allowing the flavors to evolve and develop even greater complexity over time. The 2021 vintage is sourced from ten small parcels, with vines ranging from 20 to 60 years in age. Noteworthy vineyards include Les Tremblot, Les Meix, Les Levrons, Corvée des Vignes and Les Reuchaux. These small vineyard holdings span the diversity of Puligny, from north to south and are situated just below the premier cru vineyards near the village. This wine is aged in only 20% new oak, allowing for excellent balance and early drinking pleasure. The Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny Montrachet 2021 stands as a symbol of excellence within the Burgundy wine region. The meticulous focus on Chardonnay, combined with the region's unique terroir, results in an outstanding white wine that truly captures the very essence of the land.
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Hautes Cotes de Beaune Bourgogne Blanc
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is a renowned winery located in Chassagne-Montrachet, a subregion of Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. This esteemed producer is recognized for its exceptional Chardonnay wines, with a significant portion of its vineyards situated in Saint-Aubin. The estate was founded in 2005 by Pierre-Yves Colin and Catherine Morey, both offspring of esteemed winemakers in Burgundy. Previously, Colin had served as the winemaker at his family's winery since 1995. In 2001, he embarked on a négociant venture with his wife. Eventually, in 2005, Colin departed from the family estate to establish his own label, retaining a six-hectare (15-acre) portion of the Colin vineyards, while the remaining parcels were retained by his siblings (Caroline, Joseph and Damien) who currently manage Domaine Marc Colin. Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey possesses vineyard holdings in several premier cru sites in Saint-Aubin and Chassagne-Montrachet, including Chatèniere, Champlots, Remilly, Chenevottes and Caillerets. Furthermore, the domaine procures grapes to produce wines from various grand cru vineyards, notably Bâtard-Montrachet and Corton-Charlemagne. While the estate primarily focuses on crafting exceptional Chardonnay, it also produces a smaller quantity of Pinot Noir sourced from Saint-Aubin and Santenay. In the winery, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey avoids battonage, instead favouring extended contact with the lees and barrel aging. The wines are bottled without filtration and often without fining, showcasing the pure expression of the vineyards and the winemaker's meticulous craftsmanship. Situated in the En Creuzilly lieu-dit, at an altitude of 420 meters, this wine benefits from a higher clay content. It presents as a very fresh wine, with a leaner profile that requires some time to fully showcase its best qualities. The wine exhibits ample depth and a delicate structure, creating a harmonious balance. The vineyards face the direction of Nolay and were acquired in 2014, with the first vintage produced in 2015. These vineyards are part of an 8-hectare domaine shared with Sauzet and are located approximately 6km away. The vines are planted on hillsides, situated over 400m above sea level, and the clay-rich soil contributes to the wine's character. The harvest typically takes place about a week later than the vines in the Chassagne area, emphasizing the importance of patience when enjoying this wine. The Hautes Cotes de Beaune Bourgogne Blanc 2021 is a delightful white wine that showcases the unique characteristics of the Hautes Cotes de Beaune region in Burgundy. This wine offers a bright and lively bouquet of citrus fruits, such as lemon and grapefruit, which add a refreshing zest to the aroma. Accompanying these citrus notes are hints of orchard fruits like apple and pear, providing a pleasant depth to the nose. On the palate, the Hautes Cotes de Beaune Bourgogne Blanc 2021 reveals a harmonious combination of flavors. The vibrant citrus notes continue to shine, complemented by the subtle sweetness of ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot. These flavors are often balanced by a delicate touch of minerality, which adds complexity and reflects the unique terroir of the Hautes Cotes de Beaune. The wine exhibits a medium body with a crisp acidity that lends freshness and structure. The finish is clean and lingering, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of citrus and stone fruits.
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Bourgogne Aligote
Pierre Yves Colin Morey Bourgogne Blanc
Domaine Lucien Le Moine 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes
DOMAINE LUCIEN LE MOINE 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Lucien Le Moine is a unique négocianthaute couture is often how they are described. Husband and wife, Mounir and Rotem Saouma source small parcels of wine from many producers. Their contribution to the wine is in the elevage, esoteric regime which changes each vintage relying on Mounirs sensory talents forged in a Trappist monastery in Lebanon and honed in their vaulted cellars in the Cote dOr. Working with the best (Jupilles, FRA), fine-grained new oak, the Saoumas produce a staggering number of Grands and 1er Crus cuvees.
Penfolds Bin 19A Chardonnay
Soaring and intense white peach fruits, interwoven nuttiness, crème brûlée, and a heightened leesy texture framed by bracing acidity.A square-jawed Bin A with undoubted opulence on the nose and also on the initial hit of flavour on the palate, but the gate comes down early doors and it leaves you with the notion that you have just been locked out of a very promising party. Unlike Bin 311, I think that this wine will segue smoothly into a ravishing beauty, given a few years, after all, it has an epic track record on its side. The fruit has flashes of white peach and Comice pear but the overriding theme is ‘white’, with blanche neige purity and a more than a little gusto under the bonnet. This is one of the most impressive and consistently excellent Chardonnays in the country and 2019 continues this impeccable track record. 19+/20 (Drink 2023 – 2032) - Matthew Jukes.
Benoît Ente Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru ' Clos de la Truffière'
Ki No Bi Dry Gin
Domaine Jacques Prieur Meursault Perrieres 1er Cru
0.28Ha parcel on a slope with full east exposure and very thin soil (15-20cm) and very calcareous base with sheets of limestone. Full malolactic conversion and 19 months' élevage in 30% new oak. All in barrel, unracked. Racy fresh primrose colour.