Puligny-Montrachet

Puligny-Montrachet is one of two villages that share the Montrachet suffix, along with Chassagne-Montrachet, known for its sleek and mineral expressions of white Burgundy at its finest. This is a mecca for lovers of Chardonnay, home to some of the region’s most illustrious names and best vineyards.

At the heart of the Côte de Beaune, the village sits south of Meursault and north of Chassagne. But of the two villages that share the Montrachet slope, Puligny is undoubtedly considered top dog. High limestone content in the soils is thought to be key to the quality of the wines, which are typically more linear and structured than their neighbours.

The Grands Crus Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet lie exclusively within its limits, while Puligny shares Le Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet with Chassagne.

The village has 17 Premier Cru vineyards, the best of which include Les Perrières, Cailleret, Pucelles, Combettes and Folatières, as well as Henri Boillot‘s monopole Clos de la Mouchère, to name a few – but there is brilliant value at village level too, with the lieux-dits of Enseignières, Rue aux Vaches and Noyers Brets.

While Pinot Noir can be made here, Chardonnay represents the vast majority of production, and given its high value, few squander precious terroir on red-wine production.

As for the producers, the crème de la crème of the village includes Domaine Leflaive, as well as Olivier Leflaive, Jacques Carillon and Etienne Sauzet, alongside FINE+RARE favourites Domaine Paul Pernot and rising-star Alvina Pernot.