In the world’s hierarchy of Chardonnay, Puligny-Montrachet, located in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, sits at the apex.
On these limestone slopes, where morning light warms deep-rooted vines, vineyards including four Grand Cru sites and a star assortment of Premier Cru plots regularly produce legendary white Burgundy. To help you navigate the powerhouse appellation, we’ve assembled several favorite Puligny-Montrachet bottlings that epitomize the magic of this Côte d’Or hotspot.
Winemaking here tends to be a family affair. The Carillons are a famous winemaking clan, with a heritage that dates to the 1500s. Today, brothers François and Jacques continue the legacy at separate wineries after splitting the family estate following 2009.
Jacques’s 2014 and 2015 vintages illustrate his acclaimed style—understated, classical elegance—and are in peak drinking form. François authors Chardonnays in a richer, rounder vein: his stunning Premier Cru Les Perrieres is plush and silky, dense with ripe peach and tones of white flowers.
Joseph Drouhin is another classic family house in Puligny-Montrachet, currently in the hands of fourth-generation winemakers. Bottles like the village-level 2020 and the 2020 Premier Cru Les Folatieres showcase the purity and terroir transparency that is synonymous with the Drouhin name.
In an appellation this closely scrutinized, sometimes the best deals are found off the beaten path. Winemaker Laurent Martelet of Domaine Comtesse de Chérisey is doing amazing work in the smaller, lesser-known AOC of Blagny—don’t miss the intense minerality and chiseled grace of his 2018 release.
Charles Van Canneyt is the heir to the iconic house, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat, but he’s doing some of his most exciting work through a micro-negociant firm he started. Check out the superb balance and lime citrus acidity of the 2016 Premier Cru Caillerets to see why this talent is being alluded as one of the brightest lights of Burgundy’s future.
In styles that range from deeply traditional to modern, these bottles merit the extraordinary reputation that attends Puligny-Montrachet.
