Our tasting impressions
This premier cru may not be as renowned as some of its Puligny neighbors, but we've been loving it for years - particularly from our source. The 2021 flavors are intensely mineral-laden. It is impressively lively and concentrated. We expect this beauty to develop lots more nuances but it is an astonishingly delicious drink right off the bat.
About this wine
Puligny-Montrachet is probably the most famous village for Chardonnay in the world. The steely, mineral driven wines are, for many, the epitome of white Burgundy. Les Folatières is the largest Premier Cru in Puligny-Montrachet.
This wine comes from an southeast-facing plot, planted, on average, 45 years ago. The soil composition is clay and limestone and the elevation ranges from 230-320 meters.
The grapes were hand-harvested at the end of September to yields of 45hl/ha. Fermentation was with native yeasts and the malolactic fermentation was completed. The wine aged in French oak until bottling with fining or filtration in the spring of 2023.
About the grape
Chardonnay is the most popular wine variety in the US. Winemakers love the green-skinned grape as well because it’s so easy to grow and adapt to many different production techniques. Grown everywhere, Chardonnay’s greatest expressions are widely believed to come from Burgundy. Indeed, this is believed to be where the grape originated. Chablis, in Northern Burgundy and Champagne also offer superlative examples of Chardonnay.
About the Vintage
2021 heralded a return to typical Burgundian style. For the first time in several years, high temperatures during the growing season were not the overriding factor. Unfortunately, a severe spring frost that plagued much of Europe drastically diminished yields. Chardonnay was hit harder because it buds earlier than Pinot Noir. So, 2021 was very good on quality but very poor on quantity.