There are domaines you admire from a distance, and others you simply fall for. Philippe Chavy is firmly in the second camp. From his cellar in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet, Philippe farms an extraordinary collection of vineyards across Puligny, Meursault and Saint-Aubin, including old family parcels planted as far back as the 1930s.
The wines have everything we look for in great white Burgundy: depth, concentration and texture, but always with freshness, precision and that unmistakable mineral edge. And behind them is Philippe himself: modest, understated and endlessly experienced, with just enough mischief to ensure a tasting in his cellar is never remotely dull.
Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru 'Les Pucelles'
An absolute stunner: citrus brightness, white peach, florals and sleek, layered texture, lifted by Puligny’s signature minerality. Complex, structured and long, this is Les…
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Puligny Montrachet 'Les Corvées des Vignes'
A superb village Puligny, bordering Meursault Charmes Premier Cru. White flowers and fresh-cut grass make for a beautifully pretty nose, before a deep, concentrated…
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Bourgogne Aligoté
From vines planted as far back as 1939 within Puligny-Montrachet, immediately enticing, with fresh lemon tart, a delicate touch of chamomile and just enough…
View Wine →The Wines of the Domaine
From old-vine Bourgogne to some of the greatest Premier Cru vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, Philippe's range is a tour through the Côte de Beaune.
- Bourgogne Aligoté
- Bourgogne Chardonnay
- Meursault
- Meursault ‘Les Narvaux’
- Puligny-Montrachet ‘Les Corvées des Vignes’
- Puligny-Montrachet ‘Rue Rousseau’
- Saint-Aubin Premier Cru ‘Les Murgers des Dents de Chien’
- Meursault Premier Cru ‘Les Charmes’
- Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Les Folatières’ Au Chaniot
- Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Les Pucelles’
The Chavy name has deep roots in Puligny-Montrachet. Philippe took charge of his own domaine in 1990, bringing together vineyards inherited through both sides of his family. His father brought parcels in Puligny-Montrachet, including vines planted during the 1950s, while his mother's side added holdings in Meursault, with some vines dating all the way back to 1932.
Today, the domaine extends to around eight hectares across an exceptional patchwork of Côte de Beaune terroirs. Alongside his wife Graziella, Philippe has steadily evolved the estate while keeping its foundations firmly intact. Herbicides and insecticides were abandoned early, biodynamic practices have formed part of the vineyard work since 2010, and every parcel is harvested by hand.
There is no grand manifesto attached to it. Philippe's philosophy is far simpler: if the grapes are exceptional, the job in the cellar is to preserve what the vineyard has already created.
That understatement is very Philippe. The wines, thankfully, are anything but.
Old vines, great vineyards and 70s rock turned up considerably louder than you might expect in a Puligny-Montrachet cellar.
Inside Domaine Philippe Chavy
Philippe Chavy farms vineyards with serious history beneath them. Some parcels were planted in the 1930s and 1940s, while many others have been in the family for generations. Across Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and Saint-Aubin, Philippe works each site individually, allowing the age of the vines and character of the terroir to dictate the wine.
Everything is harvested by hand, parcel by parcel. Those old vines are central to the style of the domaine. Their naturally lower yields bring concentration and depth, while Philippe's farming keeps the wines energetic rather than heavy.
It is particularly striking when tasting through the range. The broad, powerful personality of Meursault remains distinct from the tension and florality of Puligny, while the high slopes of Saint-Aubin bring their own mineral bite.
The grapes are pressed whole and fermentations begin cool in stainless steel, helping preserve freshness and clarity before the wines move into barrel. Élevage lasts around 16 months, predominantly in older oak, with larger 500 and 600 litre barrels also used to reduce the influence of wood. New oak is kept restrained, with only the top crus seeing a gentle touch.
Lees work is equally considered: enough to build texture where Philippe feels a wine needs it, never enough to blur the vineyard beneath. The aim is balance.
These are wines with real concentration, but there is always a line of freshness running through them. Oak supports rather than dominates, texture never comes at the expense of precision, and the personality of each parcel remains intact.
One of the most revealing details at Domaine Philippe Chavy happens right at the very end. Philippe still bottles his wines by hand using a traditional chèvre à deux becs, a double-spouted siphon once commonplace in Burgundy and now rarely seen.
Gravity alone moves the wine from barrel into bottle. No pumping. No aggressive pressure. Very little disturbance. It is slow, hands-on work and feels almost anachronistic in a modern winery, but it says a great deal about Philippe.
He is perfectly happy to adopt modern ideas where they improve the wine, while holding onto older techniques when he believes they still do the job better. That combination of curiosity and tradition runs through everything here.
Why we’re excited
In the simplest terms – it’s the wine that excites us. Philippe doesn’t stand on a soapbox about philosophy or preach the “right” way to make Burgundy. He just pours the glass and lets the wines do the talking – and talk they do. From the electric snap of his magical Aligoté to the sheer grandeur of Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatières, every bottle had us grinning, glass in hand, and yes, actually dancing in the cellar (though the 70s rock anthems blasting from the speakers helped).
What makes it so thrilling is the contrast: a winemaker so modest in manner, so understated in explanation, yet with a mischievous, devilish streak simmering beneath the surface. That quiet genius doesn’t shout – it explodes in the glass.
Discover the Wines
Bourgogne Aligoté
From vines planted as far back as 1939 within Puligny-Montrachet, immediately enticing, with fresh lemon tart, a delicate touch of chamomile and just enough…
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Bourgogne Chardonnay
Zesty green apple and lime zip across the palate, layered with lemon curd richness and a subtle brioche creaminess. A flicker of coconut lingers…
View Wine → Bourgogne Chardonnay
Beautiful was the word I wrote down when tasting this. White flowers and bright citrus lead into a wonderfully textural palate, with real depth,…
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Domaine Philippe Chavy Discovery Case
This is your way into the world of Philippe Chavy. A six-bottle journey through Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, and Saint-Aubin, spanning three exceptional vintages. From precise,…
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Meursault
This is seriously impressive Meursault. Tiny yields of just 25hl/ha, half the standard have given enormous concentration, but it’s the freshness that makes it:…
View Wine → Meursault 'Les Narvaux'
Les Narvaux is one of Meursault’s great village terroirs, and this shows exactly why. Broad, powerful and richly textured, with ripe peach, nectarine and…
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Meursault Premier Cru 'Les Charmes'
Lemon sherbet zip, lime brightness and mouthwatering punch - this Meursault has both thrilling energy and opulent weight. Already complex, with dazzling precision and…
View Wine → Meursault Premier Cru 'Les Charmes'
A rounded, elegant style of Meursault with old-vine depth and concentration. There’s weight and polish here, but also a lively streak of freshness –…
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