# Chablis 'La Butte 'O' (2020)

- **Producer:** Patrick Piuze
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, lemon, grapefruit, blossom, butter, cream, bread, honey, almond, hay

## About this wine

Patrick Piuze, a Quebec native, established his boutique négociant house in Chablis in 2008 after working with legendary producers like Olivier Leflaive and Jean-Marie Guffens. Piuze has earned a stellar reputation for his terroir-centric approach, sourcing grapes from old-vine parcels across Chablis. 'La Butte 'O' is a unique lieu-dit bottling that showcases the distinct Kimmeridgian clay and limestone soils of the region, offering a pure, mineral-driven expression of Chardonnay that rivals many Premier Crus.

## Interesting facts

- Founder Patrick Piuze is originally from Quebec and fell in love with Burgundy after a chance meeting with Marc Chapoutier.
- Piuze does not own any vineyards; instead, he acts as a 'micro-negociant,' purchasing high-quality grapes from trusted growers.
- The name 'La Butte 'O' refers to a specific, well-exposed slope in Chablis known for its rich Kimmeridgian limestone soils.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and intense minerality of this Chablis act as a perfect palate cleanser, cutting through rich, buttery sauces while beautifully complementing the natural brininess of fresh seafood and shellfish.

## Wine making process

The grapes for 'La Butte 'O' are harvested entirely by hand from old vines. Piuze employs a gentle, slow pneumatic pressing to preserve the delicate aromatics. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using indigenous yeasts in old oak barrels (typically 6 to 8 years old) to avoid imparting dominant oak flavors while allowing gentle micro-oxygenation. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is aged on its fine lees before bottling with minimal fining and filtration.