Joseph Drouhin : Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru "Pucelles" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Pucelles" 2023 by Joseph Drouhin

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a pale gold hue, both clear and brilliant.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with a lovely floral elegance reminiscent of linden blossom, intertwined with indulgent notes of pastry, almond paste and candied lemon zest. This vintage is further enriched by hints of yellow fruit such as peach and mirabelle plum.

Palate
On the palate, this white wine charms with its silky texture and generous volume. There is a remarkable balance between the richness of the fruit and a lovely mineral freshness. The finish is exceptionally long, with lingering floral and lemony touches.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs beautifully with fine seafood such as pan-seared scallops, lobster or langoustines served with a lightly creamy citrus sauce. It also elevates white fish in beurre blanc, Bresse poultry with cream and mushrooms, as well as well-aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, this wine is best served at around 13°C. Built for ageing, it can be cellared and enjoyed until around 2043.

The refined expression of a great Burgundy terroir

The estate

Founded in Beaune in 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin is an iconic name in Burgundy, France. Now run by the fourth generation, with Frédéric Drouhin as president, Véronique overseeing winemaking, Philippe in charge of the vineyards and Laurent managing sales, the family carries on a long-standing tradition of expertise. A pioneer of organic and biodynamic viticulture since the late 1980s, the estate covers more than 100 hectares stretching from Chablis to the Mâconnais. It stands out for its profound respect for terroir and its forward-thinking vision.

The vineyard

The "Pucelles" climat enjoys an ideal location at the heart of the Puligny-Montrachet appellation, on the prestigious Côte des Blancs. This terroir rests on predominantly limestone soils combining brown earth and stones, which provide excellent drainage and optimal heat retention. The vines are planted at high density, encouraging deep rooting. For this cuvée, the grapes come from long-standing partners who share the house's environmental philosophy, and are harvested by hand into small perforated crates.

The vintage

2023 ranks as one of the hottest years in the region's recent history, even surpassing the temperatures recorded in 2022. Despite these extreme climatic conditions, the growing cycle allowed the berries to reach perfect ripeness, yielding a healthy harvest and juices of remarkable balance.

Winemaking and ageing

After slow, gentle pneumatic pressing, the juices are rigorously selected. Following light settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in oak barrels with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged for 16 to 18 months in the same barrels, 20 to 25% of which are new. The wood, sourced from French high-forest oak, is air-dried for three years beforehand to ensure subtle integration.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay