# Puligny-Montrachet (2021)

- **Producer:** Domaine Bachelet-Monnot
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €105
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lime, grapefruit, honeysuckle, lime flower, vanilla, cloves, wet stones, petrichor

## About this wine

Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 2021 is a white wine from the Côte de Beaune, France, made from 100% Chardonnay. The estate, founded in 2005 by brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet, is known for its precise, terroir-focused wines. They employ sustainable vineyard management, including no herbicides and hand-harvesting, to ensure grape quality. The 2021 vintage was particularly challenging due to spring frosts, leading to significantly reduced yields but resulting in wines of notable purity and acidity. This village-level Puligny-Montrachet is a blend from several parcels within the appellation, including a parcel called 'les Meix', with vines over 30 years old. The winemaking involves fermentation with indigenous yeasts and aging for 12 months in 350-litre barrels followed by six months in stainless steel, with modest new oak usage (20-35%) to highlight the terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Domaine Bachelet-Monnot was established relatively recently in 2005.
- The 2021 vintage saw a 60% reduction in normal production due to frost.
- Vineyards are meticulously managed with no herbicides and regular ploughing.
- A portion of the wine is aged in larger 350-litre barrels to moderate oak influence.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty proteins, while its minerality complements the delicate flavors of seafood. Citrus notes in the wine echo citrus elements in dishes, and the wine's structure can stand up to richer preparations.

## Wine making process

Domaine Bachelet-Monnot employs a modern yet minimalist winemaking approach. Grapes are pressed gently and undergo fermentation with indigenous yeasts, allowing for a natural expression of the Chardonnay. The wine is aged for 12 months in 350-litre barrels, which are larger than standard to impart a more subtle oak influence, followed by six months in stainless steel tanks to maintain freshness. New oak usage is kept between 20% and 35%, ensuring that the wine's terroir remains the primary focus. This careful aging process contributes to the wine's balance, texture, and long-term aging potential.