2020 Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts

The 2020 Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts is a finely chiseled expression of white Burgundy from one of the appellation’s most sought-after premiers crus. In a low-yield, high-quality vintage marked by concentration and precision, this Chardonnay marries Puligny’s trademark tension with the generosity of the 2020 season. Les Referts is prized for producing wines that sit beautifully between power and finesse, and Bachelet-Monnot captures that balance with remarkable clarity and poise.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Les Referts shows a luminous pale gold color with green reflections, hinting at both ripeness and freshness. The nose opens with lifted aromas of lemon zest, lime blossom, and crisp green and yellow apple, followed by ripe white peach, subtle pear, and a delicate floral note of acacia. Underneath lies a fine mineral streak—wet stone, chalk dust, and a touch of flint—interwoven with gentle spice, hazelnut, and a refined hint of vanilla from well-judged oak. On the palate, this is precise yet supple: medium-bodied with a sleek, almost silken texture. The attack is vibrant and citrus-driven, evolving into layers of stone fruit, green apple, and a whisper of white almond and sweet spice. The oak is perfectly integrated, framing rather than masking the fruit, while Puligny’s hallmark line of acidity keeps everything lifted and mouthwatering. The finish is long, saline, and focused, leaving lingering notes of citrus peel and chalky minerality. Enjoyable now with a brief decant, it has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for 8–12 years from the vintage, developing more nutty, honeyed complexity with time in bottle.

Production
Les Referts is a celebrated premier cru on the Puligny-Montrachet slope, with well-drained, stony clay-limestone soils and an east to southeast exposure that brings excellent morning light and slow, even ripening. In 2020, naturally low yields and meticulous vineyard work further concentrated the fruit. At Domaine Bachelet-Monnot, the grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve freshness and aromatic purity, then gently pressed. Fermentation typically takes place in oak barrels with indigenous yeasts, allowing the wine to express both terroir and vintage. Aging in French barriques—only a modest proportion new—on fine lees adds texture and complexity without overwhelming the precision of the fruit and the clarity of Puligny’s mineral spine.

Food & Serving
This Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts is a superb partner for refined dishes from the sea and the land. Think butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, turbot or sole in a beurre blanc, or halibut with a light citrus and herb sauce. It also shines with roast chicken or guinea fowl, particularly with morel or cream-based sauces, and with delicate veal dishes. On the cheese board, opt for aged Comté, Beaufort, or mild, nutty alpine cheeses. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to highlight the wine’s tension and aromatics; younger bottles benefit from 30–45 minutes in a decanter to open up, while more mature bottles can be served directly after a careful, gentle pour.

Producer
Domaine Bachelet-Monnot is a rising star in the Côte de Beaune, founded in 2005 by brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet, members of a long-established winegrowing family in the Côte d’Or. After formal studies in viticulture and oenology and formative experiences in other French regions and in the United States, the brothers returned to Burgundy, inheriting prized parcels from their grandfather rather than through the traditional generational line. From the outset, they have been known for their perfectionism and willingness to fine-tune every detail—from barrel size and cellar temperatures to élevage length—in pursuit of purity and precision. Today, Domaine Bachelet-Monnot is regarded as one of the most exciting addresses for both white and red Burgundy, with benchmark bottlings from Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet as well as exemplary wines from Maranges and Santenay, helping to elevate the reputation of these often-overlooked southern villages.

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