Puligny-Montrachet "Au Paupillot" AOC 2022

The Puligny-Montrachet «Au Paupillot» 2022 is a dry Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune that relies on tension rather than richness. The vintage shows a clear signature: vivid freshness, chalky texture and a saline trace that holds the wine together. Nothing about it is loud — its strength lies in restraint.

The grapes come from the Au Paupillot vineyard within the Puligny-Montrachet appellation. Puligny's limestone-rich soils give the wine its stony coolness and fine structure. The estate itself is located in Auxey-Duresses and was founded in 962 by monks of the Abbey of Cluny; for more than six centuries the property belonged to the Cistercian Abbey of Cîteaux.

Pure Chardonnay. Willy Roulendes has run the estate since 2008 and has converted the entire 16 hectares to biodynamic farming; work in the vineyard is done by hand or with horses. The white grapes ferment in small oak barrels, and for ageing, alongside barriques, barrels of around 1,000 litres are increasingly used. New oak plays hardly any role, allowing the floral and fruity notes to stand free. Depending on the appellation and vintage, the wines mature for 12 to 18 months in the cellars dating from the 11th and 15th centuries.

On the nose, white blossom and pale ripe fruit, along with a subtle oak spice with no toasty notes. The palate opens fresh and juicy, the mid-palate is chalky, and the finish saline and long.

With scallops in butter sauce, fillet of sole or gently cooked turbot. Also with white meats such as Bresse chicken in cream sauce and with creamy soft cheeses.

Clos du Moulin aux Moines is among the oldest wine estates in Burgundy. The main building overlooks three hectares of walled vineyards that gave the estate its name; the domaine also includes four monopole vineyards. The label indicates biodynamic farming.