2024 Chartron
I was greeted back in March by Jean Michel Charton, the 5th generation vigneron to helm the famous Puligny estate Jean Chartron. If you have ever traveled to Puligny I’m sure you have posed for a photo under one of their famous arches marking their plots in both Chevalier and Les Pucelle - I know if the weather is good, I always try and make my way out there
This is an estate I have been beating the drum for a number of years now. You always hear the saying when buying a house - location, location, location! The same can be applied to the vineyards in Burgundy. I guess it hits a little harder when you are standing in the plots and you survey the landscape - it simply does not get better!Â
The Clos du Cailleret is an amazing wine and one for which I always look. Chartron’s vineyard is located in the northern section of Caillerets and represents the oldest Chardonnay plantings, circa 1955. Throwback to the 1920’s and they were by far the largest landowner with ownership of most of present day Caillerets. In those days, it was primarily planted to Pinot Noir. Substantial inheritance tax in the 1990’s forced the sale of roughly 2 hectares, leaving them with a little over 1 ha of vines today..
Not to be outdone is their holding in Clos de La Pucelle. A 1.2 hectare clos located just on the other side of the road from their holding in Caillerets, occupying the northern section of Pucelle. A wine that shows more volume as the deeper soils with more clay tend to produce a wine with a slightly rounder feel.
I did get a chance to sample the 2024s during my visit, and I'll say it simply: stunning! These are classically styled white Burgundies that reveal the telltale Puligny minerality, with the cut and freshness that all serious white Burgundy possesses. Â
Even thinking back on the tasting now, I can still feel the length and finish both wines displayed, the flavors just going on and on. Quantities are down considerably for this vintage, so anyone looking to add these to their cellar would do well to act sooner rather than later. Very highly recommended!
Fresh lemon yellow with a green tint, rather more backward on the nose. Still working itself out. There is more structure here but less appeal in youth. The Clos de la Pucelle offers good tension, but this will take time. I am not yet seeing the electric backbone that this wine can have. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted Oct 2025.Â
-Â Jasper Morris, 91-94
Mid lemon and lime. Plenty of concentration here and greater expression than the Pucelles. This is really quite fine, with stony particles alongside the white fruit flesh. The nose needs to emerge further but this is capable of developing in to a fine Cailleret. 13 barrels made. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted Oct 2025.Â
-Â Jasper Morris, 92-95
The 2024 Puligny-Montrachet Clos du Cailleret ler Ctu has a little more precision and detail compared to the Clos du Cailleret this year.Touches of Conference pear and orange pith and a hint of candle wax on the nose. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, quite dainty and elegant yet there is real cohesion and precision towards the finish. This is very classy.Â
-Â Vinous Media / Neal Martin, 93-95
