Domaine du Cellier aux Moines : Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru "Les Pucelles" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Pucelles" 2023 from Domaine du Cellier aux Moines

Tasting notes

Nose

Displaying beautiful aromatic purity, the bouquet reveals menthol notes intertwined with citrus scents (lemon, grapefruit), white flowers such as acacia and stone fruits (peach, apricot). Barrel ageing adds subtle touches of vanilla, spices and toasted nuts, all underscored by a mineral backbone.

Palate

Both ripe and slender, the palate stands out for its power and sap, offering a unique dimension. It reveals lovely minerality and a refreshing natural acidity, characteristic of its terroir. The whole is balanced, supported by a pleasant texture without any heaviness.

Food and wine pairings

The estate recommends pairing this wine with seared scallops and a wild garlic persillade. More generally, it goes ideally with delicate fish (sole, turbot) in beurre blanc sauce, or poultry in a light sauce. After a few years of cellaring, it will elevate creamy dishes or seafood gratins.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this wine between 12 and 14°C. This Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Pucelles" 2023 can be kept and enjoyed until around 2035. Careful decanting is advised for older vintages so as not to disturb the natural sediment.

The purity and complexity of a white wine from Puligny-Montrachet

The estate

Founded in 1130 by the Cistercian monks of La Ferté Abbey, Domaine du Cellier aux Moines is a historic figure of Burgundy. Located in Givry, the property was acquired and meticulously restored in 2004 by Philippe and Catherine Pascal, the current owners, together with their children. Under the technical direction of Guillaume Marko, the estate stands out for its environmentally respectful practices. It is, moreover, the first producer in its appellation to have obtained organic certification in 2020, followed by biodynamic certification in 2023.

The vineyard

This wine comes from a small 0.27-hectare plot located within the prestigious Puligny-Montrachet terroir, more precisely in the former "Clos des Meix". Facing south-east and situated mid-slope (between 205 and 207 metres in altitude), the vines were planted in 1971. They thrive on shallow soils composed of limestone and ochre brown clay resting on a pearly slab. The vineyard is entirely cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage was marked by mild weather conditions, with temperatures above seasonal averages and low rainfall at the beginning of the growing cycle. These favourable conditions allowed for moderate ripening without heat stress, resulting in the most abundant harvest ever recorded in the region.

Winemaking and ageing

The harvest is carried out by hand, retaining 100% whole clusters. After a static settling of 24 hours, both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place entirely in oak barrels. The ageing of this Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Pucelles" 2023 lasts approximately 18 months, including six months of blending in bulk. The wine rests in oak barrels (25% new and 75% one year old or more) within a gravity-fed winery, thereby limiting mechanical pumping.

Grape variety

This wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay.