Jean-Marc Boillot’s 2022 Puligny-Montrachet is a distinguished white Burgundy crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, reflecting all the pedigree and finesse associated with this storied appellation. The 2022 vintage benefited from a well-balanced growing season, offering grapes of optimal ripeness and vibrant acidity. The terroir here is essential to the wine's character: the marl and limestone soils of Puligny-Montrachet, coupled with an ideal south-easterly exposure, confer remarkable tension, minerality, and complexity. The vinification process, often involving partial malolactic fermentation and careful ageing in French oak barrels, yields a wine with both freshness and subtle creamy, toasty undertones, without overshadowing the purity of the fruit.
Puligny-Montrachet lies at the very heart of the Côte de Beaune, an area world-renowned for producing some of the finest Chardonnay on the planet. The region's temperate, semi-continental climate, with cool nights and sunny days, allows for a gradual and complete ripening of the grapes, preserving vital acidity while allowing for the development of nuanced aromatics. Historically, the vineyards here date back well before medieval times, with Puligny developing a reputation for elegant, poised, and structured white wines noted for their longevity and finesse.
For food pairings, the crisp minerality and layered texture of this Puligny-Montrachet make it superb alongside classic Burgundian fare such as poulet de Bresse à la crème or gently seared scallops with a creamy sauce. It also shines with delicate white fish, lobster, or a simple herbed roast chicken. For vegetarian options, risottos with wild mushrooms or asparagus, finished with a touch of parmesan, are excellent companions.
To appreciate its aromatic complexity and balance, serve this wine cool but not too cold, ideally at 11-13°C. A brief aeration in the glass will help it open up, revealing notes of citrus, stone fruits, subtle florals, and a signature flinty elegance distinctive of great Puligny-Montrachet. This wine promises to evolve beautifully with a few years in the cellar.
