2005 Colin-Deleger Puligny Montrachet Les Demoiselles, 6-bottle Lot

Domaine Michel Colin-Deleger is a tiny, highly esteemed estate in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. It was established in 1950 when Michel Colin, a nephew of legendary Georges Deleger, started producing his own wines on small parcels he inherited. The domaine had been larger, but in 2003 Michel split parts of it off for his sons Philippe and Bruno, who now produce wines independently. Michel still has a parcel of Grand Cru Chevalier-Montrachet, as well as Premier Crus in Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. Clive Coates notes that Michel Colin-Deleger “is an excellent winemaker.”

Les Demoiselles is a 1.5-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the appellation of Puligny-Montrachet, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. The vineyard is made up of 56 rows of vines on the north end of Chevalier-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.