1998 Domaine d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières

Domaine d’Auvenay is the private domaine of one of Burgundy’s most extraordinary winemakers, the legendary Lalou Bize-Leroy. Wine reviewers including Robert M. Parker Jr. and Jancis Robinson rave about her wines, which are among the finest in Burgundy. Bize-Leroy’s family has been in the wine business in Burgundy since 1868, and in 1964 she took over her father’s negociant business. The family also owned one-half of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti for much of the 20th century. Bize-Leroy now owns a quarter of DRC and runs the acclaimed Domaine Leroy and the family’s negociant business. Domaine d’Auvenay is located in Meursault and includes 12 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligote. The average age of the vines is 65 years. Production is very limited, between 2,000 and 6,000 bottles annually. Because they are made by Madame Lalou, they are some of the most collectible wines in the world.

Les Folatieres is a 43-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the appellation of Puligny-Montrachet, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. It is nearly in the center of the Premier Crus and is the largest Premier Cru in Puligny-Montrachet. Burgundy writer Clive Coates has written that “Les Folatieres is a fullish, meaty, mineral wine with plenty of weight of fruit and good grip – a typical Puligny premier cru in fact.”

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.