Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Les 8 Climats

Domaine Alain Chavy is a leading Burgundian estate with its cellar in Puligny-Montrachet in the Cote de Beaune. It is known for a range of pure, elegant wines, all from the Chardonnay grape variety. It was formed in 2003 when Alain and his brother Jean-Louis decided to split Domaine Gerard Chavy, which they had previously run together.

Alain's vineyard holdings total 6.5 hectares (16 acres), including parcels in the Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru vineyards Les Folatieres, Le Champs Gain, Les Pucelles and Le Clavaillon, and a tiny portion of Chevalier-Montrachet. There are 2.65 hectares (6.5 acres) of village-level Puligny-Montrachet, including a plot in the Les Charmes lieu-dit. Vines are also owned in Saint-Aubin En Remilly, village Meursault and some Bourgogne Blanc.

The domaine boasts the deepest cellars in Puligny, at 5.5 meters – the areas had a high water table, which means most estates have above-ground storage facilities. Winemaking is low-intervention. All grapes are hand harvested and fermented in barrel at not more than 25 degrees Celcius for extra depth and intensity. Lees stirring is minimal and malolactic fermentation usually starts late, due to the cool cellars. Wines are bottled up to 16 months after harvest.

Chardonnay,

About 25% of the wine has been vinified in larger French oak barrels, subtly adding texture and warmth. Domaine Alain Chavy’s cellars are among the deepest and coolest in Burgundy, ensuring that malolactic fermentation—the process that imbues the wine with its creamy character—progresses at a glacial pace. This enhances both complexity and depth on the palate.

A blend of 5 specific plots (Tremblot – Noyer Bret – Grand Champ – Nosroyes – Levron), this Puligny-Montrachet has a beautiful fleshiness and fine minerals that are well-rounded and fresh up to the finish. A safe bet by the master craftsmen of a great Domaine!

Effortlessly, it releases seductive aromas of dried apricot, pineapple, and freshly sliced pear from the glass. There’s a faint cedarwood tone in the background that hints at a creaminess to follow. It’s perfectly balanced. The hint of creaminess and delicate woody notes are restrained by a fresh, mineral-laden zip that surges through on the finish with a crisp, refreshing zing. After the palate is cleansed, those sensual exotic fruit flavours slowly re-emerge.