2015 Chateau de Puligny Montrachet Meursault, 1.5ltr

Château de Puligny-Montrachet is part of the wine producing and negociant enterprise of the de Montille family. The family has had its roots in Burgundy winemaking since the 18th century. But it was Hubert de Montille, who trained as a lawyer, who nevertheless took over the family business in the 1950s, ending the family’s centuries-long tradition of selling grapes to negociants. Hubert died several years ago and today Hubert’s children Étienne and Alix run the estate. Etienne worked during the 1990s at California wine producers. The de Montilles bought the 50-care Château de Puligny-Montrachet in 2012, primarily to produce Chardonnay. The family’s other labels include Deux Montille Soeur-Frére and Domaine de Montille.

Meursault is one of the trio of famous Chardonnay producing appellations in the Côte d’Or. Although both red and white wines are allowed to be produced in the Meursault appellation, 98% of Meursault is Chardonnay. With a total of 2,500 acres of vineyards, there are no Grands Crus but 325 acres of Premiers Crus, which are divided into 13 main vineyards. As wine writers have often noted, Meursault’s fame is based on its Premiers Crus, including the prestigious Les Perrières, Les Genevrières and Les Charmes. Because the water table is low in Meursault, many producers have cellars here, including Comte Lafon and Jean-Francois Coche-Dury. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote “the Premiers Crus, as well as the finest Villages Meursaults from the top vineyards, are among the easiest drinking white burgundies in the world. Why? High-quality Meursault is opulent, almost unctuous, with a fatness and a juicy, succulent, buttery, hazelnut and apple, peach-like fruitiness that often roars from the glass.”

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.