PULIGNY-MONTRACHET PREMIER CRU `Les Perrières`

Production area

It could be said that the central part of the Côte de Beaune is predestined for the production of Burgundy’s great white wines. Puligny-Montrachet is incontestably one of its most glorious representatives… Bordered on the north by Meursault and by Chassagne-Montrachet on the south, the vineyards of Puligny are almost exclusively planted with Chardonnay grapes. The word “terroir” rarely carries the importance it does here; a difference of just a few metres is sufficient to create nuances in the wines. 95 hectares are classified as Puligny Premier Cru. « Les Perrières » refers to the numerous stone quarries that once existed in this location. Workers worked where once known as “perriers” hence the vineyard’s name.

Varietal

100% Chardonnay

Tasting notes

Visual: pale gold.
Nose: delicate nuances of pear Williams and gunflint.
Palate: rich, with full expression of white-flesh fruit and great purity.

Vinification and maturing

The grapes were handpicked and collected in 20-kg perforated crates. The grapes were sorted a first time in the vineyard and a second time when they arrived at the winery. The whole bunches of grapes were gently pressed for 2½ hours. The temperature of the must was brought down to 12°C then was immediately transferred to barrels with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees. Long fermentation (up to 10 months!) using indigenous yeasts. The wine was aged for 18 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. A proportion of 35% new French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.