From an airy slope above the village, the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru « La Garenne » 2022 by Domaine Louis Latour delivers a luminous interpretation of Côte de Beaune Chardonnay. Vines of about 35 years, fractured limestone and scree soils, hand harvesting, then ageing in carefully selected barrels, half of them new oak, form the framework of a wine that is both ample and rigorous. With malolactic fermentation completed, the 8 to 10 months' ageing in medium-toast French oak refines the material, polishes the texture and weaves a bouquet of great complexity. The result is a cuvée that marries the sun-kissed flesh of the vintage with chalky minerality, evoking the purity of an ink drawing—tense and luminous. A wine for the table as much as for contemplation, it enhances moments where the art of living calls for fine detail and the right touch.

Blend and winemaking

This Premier Cru is a 100% Chardonnay from the « La Garenne » climat in Puligny-Montrachet. The grapes, picked by hand, preserve the aromatic integrity of the fruit. After pressing and juice settling, traditional vinification takes place in French oak barrels from the Louis Latour cooperage, medium toast, to favour a subtle balance between wood infusion and grape purity. Malolactic fermentation is carried through to completion to round the edges and bring a creamy thread, without denying the terroir's natural liveliness. The 8–10 months of ageing, about 50% in new barrels, sculpts the contours, builds texture and signs a harmonious profile, conceived for fine dining and measured cellaring.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Pale gold, bright, with crystalline highlights that promise fine tension and measured depth.
• Nose : A nuanced bouquet of delicate vanilla and honeysuckle, joined by hints of candied orange and orange blossom, then a smoky note that defines the signature of the barrel and warm stone.
• Palate : Generous, lively entry with a full, almost satiny texture. The mid-palate combines light honey, acacia and yellow fruit with candied sweetness. The finish, precise and extended, is marked by chalky salinity and a lemon zest.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve between 12 and 14 °C in generous white wine glasses to give the bouquet enough room to unfold. A few minutes of aeration bring out the fruit-mineral dynamic and soften the last oaky notes. Store bottles in a temperature-controlled cellar, protected from vibrations and light. The wine has an ageing potential of 5 to 7 years after the vintage, depending on storage conditions and your preference for youthful tension or aromatic development.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : gougères, comté shortbreads, fish rillettes with citrus.
• Starters : scallop carpaccio, sea bream tartare with zests, white asparagus with mousseline sauce.
• Main courses : roasted or creamed poultry, veal blanquette, pan-seared sweetbreads with jus.
• Fish : sole or turbot meunière, roasted sea bass, monkfish casserole with young vegetables.
• Cheeses : young Comté, lightly matured Brie de Meaux, mild tomme.

Moments to enjoy

This Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru pairs masterfully with:

• A gourmet dinner where each dish seeks the right resonance.
• A shared moment among enthusiasts, to celebrate the finesse of a great terroir.
• A connoisseur’s gift, discreet and precious, for an exceptional table.

Characteristics

• Name : Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru « La Garenne » 2022, Domaine Louis Latour
• Appellation : Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC
• Type : Dry white wine, Burgundy Chardonnay
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape : Chardonnay (100 %)
• Soils : limestone and scree
• Harvest : hand-harvested
• Average yield : about 40 hl/ha
• Ageing : 8 to 10 months in French oak barrels, medium toast, around 50% new
• Cellaring and serving : 5 to 7 years, serve at 12–14 °C