Many think of Puligny-Montrachet, along with Chassagne-Montrachet, as the most perfect expression of the Chardonnay grape. As always of course, it depends on who makes the wine. But one thing is certain, the premiers crus do have pedigree, with most of them bordering the north side of the grands crus. The village wines are produced mainly in the flat-lands to the west of the village itself. Plots which adjoin the hamlet of Blagny produce a red wine, but in tiny quantities.
Puligny-Montrachet
A well-made Puligny-Montrachet should be brilliant greeny gold color, becoming more intense with age. The bouquet brings together hedge-row blossoms, grapey fruit, almonds and hazelnut, lemon-grass and green apple. Milky and smoky mineral aromas are common, as is honey. Balance and concentration are the hallmarks of a good Puligny.
Brown limestone soils and soils where limestone alternates with marl and limey-clay are prevalent. The soils are deep in some places, and in others, the rock is exposed at the surface. Where there are clay alluvia, these are coarser higher up the slopes and finer at the base. Expositions run east and south-east at altitudes of 230-320 meters.
Puligny-Montrachet should be concentrated and well-bred. Balance, aromatic complexity, and purity call out for delicate but rich food. Poultry in sauce or sauteed veal with mushrooms. They go well with foie gras, lobster, crayfish, and grilled fish. On the cheese-board, it works with creamy goat cheeses or soft-centered cheeses like Brie de Meaux.
Red wine is fast disappearing from Puligny-Montrachet due to the world-class reputation of and subsequent demand for the whites. Red wines from the defined area of this appellation may use the alternative appellation 'Cote de Beaune Village.'
On the label, the appellations 'Puligny-Montrachet' and 'Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru' may be followed by the name of a specific vineyard, known as a climat. Produced only in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet, appellation Puligny-Montrachet includes 17 premiers crus. The following vineyards are classified as premier cru:
- Champ Gain
- Champ Canet
- Clavaillon
- Clos de la Garenne
- Clos de la Mouchère
- Hameau de Blagny
- La Garenne
- La Truffière
- Le Cailleret
- Les Chalumaux
- Les Combettes
- Les Demoiselles
- Les Folatières
- Les Perrières
- Les Pucelles
- Les Referts
- Sous le Puits
The following vineyards are village wines from a single vineyard, known as a lieu-dit:
- Au Paupillot
- Brelance
- Champ Croyon
- Corvée des Vignes
- Derrière la Velle
- La Rousselle
- La Rue aux Vaches
- Le Trézin
- Le Village
- Les Aubues
- Les Boudrières
- Les Charmes
- Les Enseignères
- Les Grands Champs
- Les Houlières
- Les Levrons
- Les Meix
- Les Nosroyes
- Les Petites Nosroyes
- Les Petits Grands Champs
- Les Reuchaux
- Les Tremblots
- Meix Pelletier
- Noyer Bret
- Rue Rousseau
- Voitte
The following climats are classified as grands crus:
- Chevalier-Montrachet
- Montrachet
- Batard-Montrachet
- Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet