Jean Chartron Puligny Montrachet
If you have ever stood in the vineyards in Puligny Montrachet you likely took a photo of the famous arch that sits at the entrance to the Chartron family plot in Chevalier Montrachet.
It is one of the most iconic spots and gives you a tremendous panorama of all the famous vineyards of Puligny Montrachet. You can actually drive your car up to it, if you don’t mind a little off-roading!
The Chartron family was a huge land owner in the 1920’s, owning significant plots in Chevalier, Caillerets and Pucelles, to name a few. There is some great information about these notable vineyards on the website Wine Hog for those of you looking for specifics beyond what I’m about to highlight.
The real superstar in the lineup is the Chevalier Montrachet, but those not looking to take out a second mortgage, need look no farther than the 1er Cru of Clos du Caillerets and Clos du la
Pucelle, which I’m offering here today. They are two of the finest 1er cru vineyards in Puligny.
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. The vineyard is surrounded by tall stone walls, and represents some of the oldest vines in the vineyard. The small triangle plot on the southern end is still planted to pinot noir.
Just across the road in the Northern portion of Pucelles lies their approximate 1 hectare vineyard of Clos du Pucelle. This is also a walled vineyard and has its own arch! These two wines represent some of the best 1er vineyards in Puligny Montrachet.
Sadly, I only have a couple cases of each. White Burgundy lovers are surely going to want to have at least a couple of each in their Cellars.
Pale lemon and lime. The bouquet is fresh and chiselled, a little more herbal in style, much steelier than Folatières. On the palate one finds the Pucelles rhythm, waves of white fruit of controlled intensity, with a more mineral finish. The length also exceeds that of the excellent Folatières. Drink from 2029-2034. Tasted Oct 2024.
- Jasper Morris, 92-94
The 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Pucelle ler Cru is the monopole of the domaine. It has a more backward nose than other cuvées, with touches of orange blossoms and Granny Smith apples. The palate is well balanced, taut and fresh with a fine bead of acidity. It is tightly wound on the saline finish. This is a Puligny that will bide its time in bottle and reward those with the nous to cellar. This is very promising.
- Neal Martin, 91-93
The 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Clos du Cailleret ler Cru has more precision and mineralité compared to the Clos de la Pucelle at this stage. It's vibrant and poised, with real drive and energy. The palate is concentrated and lightly spiced, with a keen line of acidity and plenty of energy and penetratión on the finish. This represents an outstanding contribution to the vintage. I suspect it will land at the top of my banded score.
- Neal Martin, 93-95
One of the paler colours with an intense but unforthcoming nose. A concentrated raft of white fruit through the middle, then a more electric mineral finish. There is both more flesh and a little more wood showing, compared to Pucelles. Fine length. Drink from 2029-2034. Tasted Oct 2024.
- Jasper Morris, 92-94
