Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Les Charmes

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,

The plot of Charmes in Puligny is a continuation of 1er Cru Charmes in Meursault, and shares many of its characteristics, like the light, fine, stony soils.

A lovely ripe, modern Puligny with finely tuned oak and tight, fresh fruit balance.

The Les Charmes plot certainly merits single bottling, with its fine-boned nervous freshness and delicate richness underneath. Plenty of fragrant, fresh yellow fruit and a light blossom note. Great value.