Universally celebrated for its white wines, the village of Puligny was, paradoxically, planted predominantly with Pinot Noir until the last century. Its shift to Chardonnay only occurred between the two World Wars, even though the name Montrachet was officially added to the village’s name as early as 1878.
This white wine vocation has proven to be more than justified, even if a small number of red wines still uphold the cause of Pinot Noir. The rise of this commune has been closely linked to wine production since the 15th century.
The Puligny-Montrachet vineyard spans 214 hectares of land under the communal appellation, including about 100 hectares classified as Premier Cru across 17 climats. The vineyard received its AOC designation in 1937 and boasts no fewer than four Grand Crus—two of which lie entirely within the commune: Chevalier-Montrachet (such as that of Heitz-Lochardet) and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. The other two, Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet, are shared with neighboring Chassagne-Montrachet.
Nestled between Meursault to the north, Saint-Aubin to the west, and Chassagne to the south, Puligny-Montrachet forms an almost perfect square, with a slope predominantly oriented west to east. It is a true Garden of Eden for Chardonnay—there’s not a single parcel that can’t yield high-quality white wine. The vines, protected from extreme weather by the two small mountains Mont Rachet and the Châtelet de Montmalin, produce grapes that mature with balance and consistency.
The terroir is composed mainly of limestone marl and clay-limestone soils, which produce refined, elegant white wines of great finesse. Naturally marked by a fine tension, these wines are well-suited to long aging. With their beautiful golden hue and green highlights in youth, Puligny-Montrachet wines deliver an outstanding aromatic expression, often characterized by floral scents of hawthorn, acacia, linden blossoms, and lemongrass—such as in the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet Maizière cuvée from the Hospices de Dijon. As they age, notes of citrus, hazelnut, almond paste, and honey develop, as in the 2015 Puligny-Montrachet by Alex Gambal. This already complex bouquet is further enhanced by delicate touches of oak and vanilla.
On the palate, one finds lactic notes of butter and warm croissant, alongside fruit aromas like pear and apple. Harmonious and concentrated, Puligny-Montrachet wines exhibit remarkable persistence. Try the Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Champ Canet from Château de Meursault to see for yourself. These globally renowned wines are true luxury items, crafted to elevate the most prestigious meals. U.S. President Thomas Jefferson already considered Puligny wine the best in the world, but it was the great Alexandre Dumas who paid it the most respectful homage: “Puligny wines must be drunk on one’s knees, with head uncovered.”
Red wines from Puligny-Montrachet
Although little known, a few very interesting red wines still exist in the Puligny-Montrachet area. The first is Blagny, an altitude wine that is attractive and indulgent, delightful when young for its red fruit accents. The second is a rare gem, quietly flourishing in a Premier Cru: Cailleret, located in the northern part of the climat.
As you stroll through this charming village where love of wine reigns supreme, you’ll discover the Place des Marronniers and its beautiful bourgeois houses, including the one that hosts the renowned COMO Le Montrachet hotel and its refined gourmet restaurant—guaranteed to melt your heart. For the more active visitor, numerous marked trails offer the chance to fully enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
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