2015 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
Blended from a patchwork of diverse parcels within the appellation—by surely one of the most steadfast, hardworking families in the area—this Chablis is a striking example of “typicity.” Not simply in the sense that it could easily win a blind tasting (who cares?), but, more importantly, it has the Kimmeridgian je ne sais quoi that makes a well-made Chablis shine: a discreet, mineral freshness on the nose and a zippy, crisp stone fruit palate. An obvious pairing this time of year would be oysters, but I love it with just about anything under the sun.
—Emily Spillmann
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Chablis |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine Savary |
Winemaker: | Olivier Savary |
Vineyard: | 25 years, 12 ha |
Soil: | Kimmeridgian Limestone |
Aging: | Wine is aged on fine lees |
Farming: | Traditional |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
Henri Costal France | Burgundy | Chablis
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy | Volnay
Domaine Méo-Camuzet France | Burgundy | Vosne-Romanée
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Morey Saint Denis
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy | Pernand-Vergelesses
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.
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy | Marsannay
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy | Chassagne-Montrachet
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy | Puligny-Montrachet
Domaine Larue France | Burgundy | Saint-Aubin
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy | Aloxe-Corton
Domaine Follin-Arbelet France | Burgundy | Pernand-Vergelesses
François Lumpp France | Burgundy | Givry
Jean-Claude Regnaudot et Fils France | Burgundy | Maranges
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy | Gevrey Chambertin
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy | Pouilly-Fuissé
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy | Puligny-Montrachet
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171
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
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa