At the foot of the Puligny slopes, where limestone appears like a vein of marble beneath the vines, the Domaine Faiveley Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts 2022 asserts itself as a study in balance and precision. This Chardonnay from a top terroir, bordering Meursault, expresses with restraint and intensity the grace of great Burgundian whites. The 2022 vintage, sunny yet harmonious, offers radiant ripeness held by a salivating framework, a upright minerality and an aromatic purity that calls for gastronomy. Worked under organic agriculture, the small parcel is hand-harvested to preserve the integrity of the berries. In the glass, form meets substance, each nuance seeming sculpted by time and attention, for a tasting experience that celebrates the art of French living, between precision of gesture and the terroir's lyricism.

Blend and vinification

Made exclusively from Chardonnay, this Premier Cru comes from the Les Referts climat, noted for its proximity to Meursault and its free‑draining limestone soils that give tension and uprightness. The grapes are picked by hand at perfect maturity, then whole‑cluster pressed to extract the purest juices while respecting the delicacy of the fruit. After a 24‑hour static settling, the clear musts begin fermentation in oak barrels, where malolactic fermentations also take place, contributing the silky creaminess characteristic of great Burgundian whites. The ageing runs for 18 months, with a measured use of new oak depending on the vintage, to support texture without ever overpowering the expression of the cru. A finishing period of 6 months in stainless-steel tank perfects the straightness, polishes the framework and ensures crystal‑clear aromatic definition. This precise orchestration preserves the mineral core and length, while magnifying the Faiveley style, recognisable by its clean, luminous and unfailingly elegant signature.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Clear and bright, crossed with straw reflections, the colour suggests the clarity of a light stone in the sun. The viscosity, discreet and even, indicates a full material without heaviness, foreshadowing a balance between the vintage's generosity and the terroir's uprightness.
• Nose : Initial movement of fresh citrus, zested lemon and bergamot, followed by delicate exotic fruits. Nuances of white flowers and a subtle toasted touch from a controlled élevage mingle with a chalky sensation that signs the terroir. The whole breathes restraint, clarity and depth.
• Palate : Straight attack driven by precise mineral tension, then the unfolding of an elegant flesh. The mid‑palate combines breadth and energy, with a sapid salinity that stretches the wine. The finish, long and chiselled, lingers on echoes of ripe citrus, wet stone and a delicate wooded memory.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve between 10 and 12°C in large white wine glasses to allow space for aromatic breadth and textural finesse. A brief prior aeration, or a gentle decant for youthful bottles, will help open the citrus notes and mineral depth without blunting precision. Store bottles on their side, away from light and temperature fluctuations, ideally in a cellar between 10 and 14°C with controlled humidity. The cellaring potential unfolds serenely, the wine gaining complexity, silkier texture and spicy nuances over the years while preserving the chalky drive that defines it.

Food pairings

• Aperitif : fine gougères, comté tartlets, brown shrimp with a lemon zest.
• Starters : scallop carpaccio, pan‑seared langoustines, white asparagus with a light citrus sauce.
• Main courses : turbot with lemon butter, free‑range poultry with morels, Parmesan risotto with a sparing drizzle of white truffle oil.
• Cheeses : aged comté, spring beaufort, dry goat cheese with almond notes.
• Desserts : thin citrus tart, light vanilla biscuit, favouring lightly sweet preparations that preserve freshness.

Occasions

This Puligny‑Montrachet 1er Cru suits moments when one seeks grace without ostentation, precision of gesture and the conversation of terroir. It resonates with precise cuisine and tables that prioritise the essentials, the beauty of ingredients and harmony of textures.

• For a gourmet dinner where each course calls for a wine of great presence and purity.
• As an attentive gift for a lover of great Burgundian whites.
• At a vertical tasting to gauge the expression of the climat and the imprint of the vintage.

Characteristics

• Name : Domaine Faiveley, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts 2022
• Appellation : Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC
• Climat : Les Referts, on the edge of Meursault
• Grape variety : Chardonnay (100%)
• Alcohol content : 13,5%
• Viticulture : farmed organically
• Winemaking : hand‑harvested, whole‑cluster pressing, 24 h settling
• Aging : 18 months, oak barrels with a proportion of new oak depending on the vintage, then 6 months in stainless-steel tank
• Cellaring : estimated peak 2026–2035
• Serving temperature : 10–12°C