PULIGNY-MONTRACHET > BOUCHARD Ainé & Fils

PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 2024

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2023 2024

Varietal

Chardonnay.

Tasting notes

Colour: A golden colour with green tinges

Nose: Very floral: honeysuckle, acacia and jasmine, with a touch of grilled almonds.

Palate: A generous, lively attack. There is a superb balance in this wine with good freshness. The finish has a long after-taste with light vanilla nuances.

Food and wine pairing

This great withe Burgundy will be ideal with a pan-fried foie-gras, a creamy fish dish and all cooked white meats such as a chicken in cream sauce, smoked salmon, shellfish, and veal sweetbreads.

Serving suggestions

The ideal serving temperature is around 12°C to 14°C. (55°F.).

Ageing potential

From 5 to 8 years.

Origins

Puligny-Montrachet is a village in the Côte de Beaune, located in the area that produces the best white wines in Burgundy: the Golden Triangle, bounded by the villages of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.

The second name "Montrachet" was only added at the end of the 19th century, to make the link with the grands crus that can be produced in the village. The appellation covers 211.46 hectares and produces almost exclusively white wines. Around a third of the appellation (98.18 hectares) is classified as Premier Cru, and these Premiers Crus contain 17 different Climats. The village also produces 5 Grands Crus.

The soil is mainly composed of ochre limestone. The subsoil is made up of layers of marl, which play a major role in the structure of the appellation's wines. The vines are located on the plain with a south-east exposure that protects them from the north wind and is ideal for getting maximum sunshine and ensuring good ripeness.

Vinification and maturing

Chardonnay grapes are hand-picked and slowly pressed without destemming. The alcoholic fermentation starts in stainless-steel tanks before the juice is transferred to barrel, a third of the way through fermentation. The barrel ageing is on lees for up to 14 months, with 30% new oak.

Vintage : 2024

The year 2024 in Burgundy was marked by extreme weather conditions, including excessive rainfall and a significant lack of sunshine. These factors led to high disease pressure, particularly downy mildew, complicating the work of winegrowers. Episodes of frost and hail also caused substantial damage, especially in regions such as Chablis and the Auxerrois.

Yields were heavily impacted, with losses reaching up to 70% in certain areas. The Côte Chalonnaise proved more resilient, recording more limited losses. Overall, volumes are well below the usual average, reminiscent of the difficult 2021 harvest.

The late harvest required rigorous sorting to preserve quality. Despite the challenges, the harvested grapes reached excellent ripeness thanks to a sunny spell in September. The reds stand out for their richness and concentration, comparable to great vintages like 2010. The whites, characterized by their elegance, are reminiscent of the 2022 vintage.

Initial tastings reveal promising wines with concentrated aromas and fine structure. This vintage, though quantitatively limited, is shaping up to be a qualitative success.