2012 Domaine Ramonet Puligny Montrachet

Domaine Ramonet is a 44-acre estate in Chassagne-Montrachet, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune, and it is considered one of the very finest producers of Chardonnay. Some collectors would say it is unequivocally the finest producer of Chardonnay in the world. The domain was founded by Pierre Ramonet in the 1930s and his grandsons Noel and Jean-Claude run it today. The estate owns Grand Cru parcels in Le Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet. Domaine Ramonet also produces highly regarded Premier Cru Chardonnays, and several red wines, including a Premier Cru Chassagne Montrachet Clos de la Boudriotte. Clive Coates has noted that “the beauty of Ramonet wines is that they are totally individual; more Ramonet than Chassagne. The work is done by instinct, not by the book.”

Puligny-Montrachet, according to Burgundy writer Clive Coates, “is the greatest white wine commune on earth.” Though other reviewers are not always as extravagant in their praise, there is no question that the appellation’s wines are generally the most lauded Chardonnays in the world. Puligny-Montrachet the commune is tiny, with fewer than 500 residents. Yet the appellation named for it has 1,250 acres of vineyards, including 76 acres of Grands Crus and 247 acres of Premiers Crus. Its four famous Grands Crus are Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. There are 26 Premiers Crus completely or partly in the appellation. The Premiers and Grands Crus vineyards are on slopes that eventually rise to 1,300 feet and become total rock. In his admiration for this appellation, Coates added “The top Montrachets, Chevaliers and Bâtards are wines to drink on bended knees, with heartfelt and humble thanks.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.