Benoît Ente: Puligny’s Rising Star

Benoît Ente, who learned the art of viticulture on his aunt’s plots, is one of the Côte de Beaune’s most acclaimed stylists. His forte is seductively mineral, finely textured Puligny-Montrachet – the appellation where most of his six hectares are located. His older brother, Arnaud Ente, is widely regarded as a genius of Chardonnay and one of the top talents of Meursault. While the grand frère’s reputation has been long established, Benoît has undeniably attained a star status all on his own.

While Benoît made his debut vintage in 1999, he divides his winemaking career into two parts: before 2003 and after. Prior to that year, he was singular in his pursuit of power in the wines, relying heavily on new oak and frequent battonage. From the 2004 vintage and forward, he adopted a more understated style, focused on crystalline purity, precision, and chiseled form.

A large percentage of his wines mature in large foudres, with grapes pressed as uncrushed whole bunches. Like Arnaud, Benoît is notorious for early picking to ensure vital acidity, and in vintage after vintage, his instincts prove spot on.

Our featured collection of the 2020s includes Benoît’s standout Aligoté and village Puligny wine, as well as arguably his best cuvée, the Premier Cru Clos de la Truffière, which stuns with its textural finesse and polished power.