2023 Puligny-Montrachet 'Les 8 Climats', Alain Chavy
For delivery W/C 19th October
The warm 2023 vintage in the talented hands of Alain Chavy has delivered a wine with a concentration and complexity that continues to evolve in the bottle, slowly unfurling into something very special indeed. Since my last encounter it has already become more seductive both aromatically as well as on the palate.
There is so much to enjoy here and it all starts with the wonderful pure golden hue in the glass that suggests a deeply complex yet elegant wine to follow.
A gentle swish, and seductive aromas of dried apricot, pineapple, and freshly sliced pear are effortlessly teased from the glass, with a faint cedarwood warmth in the background.
The palate is laden with layer upon layer of ripe exotic stone fruit, progressing to more subdued notes of poached pear, apricot, and a touch of baked apple. This leads to gently warming cedar wood and a creamy texture that is the result of extended lees aging and slow malolactic fermentation.
It’s perfectly balanced; the hint of creaminess and delicate woody notes are restrained by a fresh, mineral-laden zip that surges through on the finish with a crisp, refreshing zing. After the palate is cleansed, those sensual exotic fruit flavours slowly re-emerge. Delicious.
About 25% has been vinified in larger French oak barrels, subtly adding texture and warmth. Domaine Alain Chavy’s cellars are among the deepest and coolest in Burgundy, ensuring that malolactic fermentation—the process that imbues the wine with its creamy character—progresses at a glacial pace. This enhances both complexity and depth on the palate.
I'm certain additional richness and complexity will continue to unfurl and evolve further over the next few years, but for me it is bang on right now.
12.5% ABV | Drink now 2029+
James Russell-Grant | Mr.Wheeler