Unanimously celebrated for its white wines, the village of Puligny was, paradoxically, planted primarily with Pinot Noir until the last century. Its transition to Chardonnay did not occur until the interwar period, even though the name “Montrachet” had been associated with the village’s name since 1878.
This focus on white wines seems well-founded, even though a handful of red wines continue to champion the cause of Pinot. This town’s growth has been driven primarily by wine since the 15th century.
The Puligny-Montrachet vineyard covers 214 hectares within the municipal appellation, including about 100 hectares classified as Premiers Crus, comprising 17 climats. The vineyard was granted its AOC designation in 1937 and boasts no fewer than four Grands Crus, two of which are located exclusively within its municipality: Chevalier-Montrachet (as produced by Heitz-Lochardet) and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. As for the other two—Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet—he shares them with Chassagne-Montrachet. Nestled between Meursault to the north, Saint-Aubin to the west, and Chassagne to the south, Puligny-Montrachet forms an almost square area, with slopes that mostly face west to east. It is a veritable Garden of Eden for Chardonnay; there isn’t a single arpent here that cannot produce a top-quality white wine. The vineyards, protected from extreme weather conditions by two small mountains—Mont Rachet and the Châtelet de Montmalin—produce grapes that ripen evenly and consistently.
It consists mainly of calcareous marl and clay-limestone soils, which produce distinguished, elegant white wines of great finesse that naturally exhibit a lovely tension, making them ideal for long-term aging. With a beautiful, brilliant golden color and green highlights in their youth, Puligny-Montrachet wines offer a magnificent aromatic profile marked by floral notes of hawthorn, acacia, linden blossom, and lemongrass, such as the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet, Cuvée Maizière from the Hospices de Dijon. As the wine ages, notes of citrus, hazelnut, marzipan, and honey round out the bouquet, much like Alex Gambal’s 2015 Puligny-Montrachet. This already highly complex bouquet is complemented by subtle woody and vanilla notes. On the palate, there are creamy aromas of butter and warm croissants, as well as fruit notes such as pear and apple. Harmonious on the palate, Puligny-Montrachet wines are characterized by remarkable concentration and length. Try the Château de Meursault Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Champ Canet to see for yourself. These world-renowned wines are true luxury items, crafted to accompany the most prestigious meals. U.S. President Thomas Jefferson already considered Puligny wine to be the best in the world, but it was the great Alexandre Dumas who paid it the most beautiful and respectful tribute: “Puligny wines must be drunk on one’s knees and with one’s head uncovered.”
The red wines of Puligny-Montrachet
They aren’t very well known, but there are still a few very interesting reds produced in the Puligny-Montrachet appellation. The first is a high-altitude wine, the Blagny, which can be appealing and rich, and is pleasant to drink young thanks to its notes of red fruit. The second is a rarity and flourishes quite discreetly in a Premier Cru: the Cailleret, located in the northern part of the vineyard.
As you stroll through this charming little town, where a love of wine is everywhere, you’ll discover the Place des Marronniers and its magnificent townhouses—such as the one that houses the renowned COMO Le Montrachet hotel and its gourmet restaurant, whose refined cuisine will make you melt with pleasure. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, there are many marked trails where you can take in the beauty of the scenery.
