2021 Grolleau “Franc de Pied”Bernard Baudry
France | Loire
$36
Producers
At the Puligny appellation’s highest point, where the tiny hamlet of Blagny (population ~10) demarcates the border with Meursault, lies the premier cru Hameau de Blagny. Regally overlooking the rest of the Côte de Beaune, Comtesse de Chérisey’s stubby old Chardonnay vines poke out from the stones that litter the vineyard floor. This is textbook Puligny—a fine perfume, layers of rich flavor on the palate, an elegant kiss of oak—with a Blagny twist: racy acidity and a saline note that makes each sip a mouthwatering delight. It’s no wonder wine writer Clive Coates once referred to Puligny-Montrachet as “the greatest white wine commune on Earth.”
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 375mL |
Blend: | Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Puligny-Montrachet |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Winemaker: | Hélène Martelet-de-Chérisey, Laurent Martelet |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1950, 1.7 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | The percentage of new oak and the length of aging depend on the vintage |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12% |
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy | Bouzeron
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Gevrey Chambertin
Domaine Boillot France | Burgundy | Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Jean-Claude Regnaudot et Fils France | Burgundy | Maranges
In eastern central France, Burgundy is nestled between the wine regions of Champagne to the north, the Jura to the east, the Loire to the west, and the Rhône to the south. This is the terroir par excellence for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The southeast-facing hillside between Dijon in the north and Maranges in the south is known as the Côte d’Or or “golden slope.” The Côte d’Or comprises two main sections, both composed of limestone and clay soils: the Côte de Nuits in the northern sector, and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Both areas produce magnificent whites and reds, although the Côte de Beaune produces more white wine and the Côte de Nuits more red.
Chablis is Burgundy’s northern outpost, known for its flinty and age-worthy Chardonnays planted in Kimmeridgian limestone on an ancient seabed. Vézelay is a smaller area south of Chablis with similar qualities, although the limestone there is not Kimmeridgian.
To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise extends from Chagny on its northern end, down past Chalon-sur-Saône and encompasses the appellations of Bouzeron in the north, followed by Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny.
Directly south of the Chalonnaise begins the Côte Mâconnais, which extends south past Mâcon to the hamlets of Fuissé, Vinzelles, Chaintré, and Saint-Véran. The Mâconnais is prime Chardonnay country and contains an incredible diversity of soils.
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy | Meursault-Blagny
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
La Soeur Cadette France | Burgundy | Bourgogne
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Morey Saint Denis
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy | Nuits-Saint-Georges
Domaine Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy | Marsannay
Domaine Savary France | Burgundy | Chablis
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy | Bouzeron
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Auxey Duresses
Domaine Boillot France | Burgundy | Gevrey-Chambertin
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
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