Vinelights
The Quintessence of Puligny
Les Pucelles is hallowed ground. Sitting just beneath Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, it’s widely considered one of the world’s greatest vineyards for white wine – the epitome of Puligny elegance. Philippe’s 2023 bottling is all about purity and depth: lemon, peach, tangerine, and honeysuckle layered with minerality and white blossom, finishing with a whisper of vanilla pod and white pepper spice. Sleek, multi-layered, and full of energy, it’s a wine of remarkable grace and power.
📍 The Plot
Philippe farms just 0.20 ha here, with vines planted in 1947. Two tiny parcels produce a mere three barrels – around 1,300 bottles – each year. Soils are classic Puligny clay-limestone, giving minerality and precision. In a vineyard where the neighbours sell for thousands, this is as rare as it gets.
🍇 Technical
Hand-harvested Chardonnay, whole-bunch pressed, fermented in tank, then finished in barrel. Aged 11 months in 228L barrels (30% new oak), with 16 months’ élevage in total. Bottled by hand using the traditional chèvre à deux becs.
📖 A Little Story…
Burgundy is full of legends, and none more colourful than this: the Chevalier-Montrachet, so the tale goes, seduced a young maiden (la pucelle), whose offspring were less noble – hence Bâtard-Montrachet. Whatever the truth, Les Pucelles retains its name and reputation as a vineyard of grace, perfume and purity – qualities that shine through in every glass.
