1997 Herve Sigaut Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères

Anne et Herve Sigaut run their 25-acre domaine in Chambolle-Musigny in classic fashion. The domaine has been in the Sigaut family for at least four generations, and it is now totally organic. They produce several Premier Crus and some village wines, most from Chambolle-Musigny. The couple took over the estate in 1990 from Herve’s father, and they renovated their cellar in 2004 adding stainless steel vats, a new sorting table and a new, gravity-fed vinification set-up. Though their wines are not well-known, Burgundy experts have been complimentary, and Clive Coates has written that “this is a good address,” which is for Coates an endorsement of quality.

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.