2011 Mischief and Mayhem Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillerets

Mischief and Mayhem is a whimsical name for a Burgundy wine venture that began in the early aughts. It was founded by Michael Ragg, a UK fine wine merchant, and his wife Fiona Traill-Stevenson, who, like her husband, also worked for a time at Berry Bros. & Rudd wine merchants. In 2003 the pair opened a wine consultancy and brokering business in Aloxe-Corton, and a year later they started making wine from sourced grapes under their own Mischief and Mayhem label. Michael Twelftree, owner of Australia’s Two Hands Wines, was also involved initially, though no longer. In 2012 Mischief and Mayhem purchased a small plot in Aloxe-Corton, and added a second plot in 2013. Burghound.com has noted that the house style is “definitely modern.” The couple say that one of their goals is to demystify fine Burgundy wines by describing the provenance of the grapes for each bottle on the back label, along with information about the vintage and production details.

Le Cailleret is a 7.8-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the appellation of Puligny-Montrachet, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. Le Cailleret is just above the Grand Cru Le Montrachet. Burgundy writer Clive Coates notes that at its best, Le Cailleret and its diminutive neighbor Les Demoiselles “make exquisite wines: not as powerful as Le Montrachet itself, but of pure breed, excellent grip and beautiful balance.”

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.