# Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes (2020)

- **Producer:** Domaine Etienne Sauzet
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €300
- **Vegan:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apricot, lemon, grapefruit, butter, vanilla, cloves, almond, honey

## About this wine

Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes from Domaine Etienne Sauzet is a distinguished white wine from the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. Produced from 100% Chardonnay grown on vines over 50 years old in the Les Combettes Premier Cru vineyard, its unique location near Meursault imparts a dual character. The estate, founded in the 1920s and now managed by the fourth generation, is committed to biodynamic viticulture, focusing on minimal intervention to express the vineyard's essence. The 2020 vintage, known for its warmth balanced by acidity, has yielded a concentrated and pure wine with significant aging potential.

## Interesting facts

- Les Combettes vineyard sits at the northern edge of Puligny-Montrachet, bordering Meursault.
- Domaine Etienne Sauzet has practiced biodynamic viticulture since 2008.
- The vines in Les Combettes are over 50 years old.
- The 2020 vintage is noted for its concentration and purity.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, richness, and balanced acidity make it a versatile partner for rich seafood and poultry dishes. The creamy textures and butter-based sauces complement the wine's texture and oak influence, while its minerality cuts through richness, preventing palate fatigue.

## Wine making process

Domaine Etienne Sauzet employs a meticulous winemaking process rooted in biodynamic viticulture. Grapes are harvested at peak maturity, and fermentation is carried out using native yeasts. Following fermentation, the wine is aged on very fine lees, contributing to its texture and complexity. For the 2020 Les Combettes, 40% new oak was utilized during the aging process, which is conducted in barrels. This approach emphasizes minimal intervention to allow the purity of the Chardonnay and the distinctiveness of the Les Combettes terroir to shine through.
