Born on the Premier Cru site Les Referts, at the foot of the Puligny-Montrachet slope, the 2023 from Domaine Louis Latour blends Burgundian precision with sumptuous generosity. The vines, around 35 years old, root in limestone and scree soils that give the Chardonnay a straight, vibrant frame from which sun-kissed fruit emerges, held by a frank minerality. Facing full south-east, between the iconic parcels of Les Perrières and Les Charmes, the slope benefits from balanced sun exposure that promotes precise ripeness. Hand-picking preserves the integrity of the berries, promising a pure juice. Fermentation in oak barrels from the house cooperage, followed by full malolactic fermentation, sculpts a caressing texture. The 8 to 10 months' ageing, with 50% new oak, polishes the contours, adds elegant toasty notes and integrates the oak without ever dominating. The result is haute-couture table wine: broad and precise, speaking both to the gastronome and the enthusiast seeking Puligny's signature. Praised by critics with 92 points from Wine Spectator and 91 from Burghound, it unfolds a bright, concentrated profile with exemplary balance; enjoy young for its floral and exotic expression, or wait 5 to 7 years for greater complexity.

Blend and winemaking

Made exclusively from Chardonnay grown on the Les Referts site, this Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru is hand-harvested with respect for berry balance. Yields around 40 hl per hectare encourage concentration and clarity of structure. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, medium toast, crafted by the Louis Latour cooperage, ensuring a delicate integration of oak notes. Full malolactic fermentation brings roundness and volume without weighing down the palate. The ageing of 8 to 10 months, with 50% new oak, refines the texture, broadens the bouquet toward brioche and gentle spice accents, while preserving the mineral backbone typical of Puligny. Nothing excessive, simply a search for harmony where fruit leads, supported by the chalky register and natural tension of the terroir.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Pale gold, clear and sparkling, with light straw highlights that announce both brightness and purity. The brilliance of the disc indicates good ripeness and careful vinification.
• Nose: Ripe intensity on mango and almond paste, joined by peach, a chalky lemon curd, flashes of butterscotch and toasted brioche. A floral halo of acacia underscores the bouquet’s finesse, balanced by a citrus lift.
• Palate: Generous, ample attack with a creamy texture edged by a mouthwatering tension. The mid-palate unfolds exotic fruits and shards of coconut, lifted by a lively acidity that extends the drive. Persistent finish on lemon zest, delicate spices and a chalky signature, with a firm structure that at times recalls the uprightness of Meursault.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this Premier Cru between 12 and 14 °C in tall white wine glasses to highlight its verticality and floral nuances. Opening the bottle around twenty minutes before service is enough to reveal the brioche notes and exotic dimension without forcing aeration. Store in a cool cellar, protected from vibration and light, bottle on its side. The estimated cellaring potential of 5 to 7 years will allow the wine to gain complexity and mellow its oak accents into a more velvety texture. If serving young, avoid over-chilling to preserve its flesh and depth.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs: seafood bites and shellfish canapés, lemoned butters and light gougères that enhance the creamy texture.
• Starters: scallop carpaccio, poached lobster, delicate crab rémoulade, where the wine’s energy frames the iodised sweetness.
• Main courses: noble fish with beurre monté, sole meunière, roasted turbot, as well as poultry in cream sauces and reduced jus, to which the wine’s density responds with panache.
• Cheeses: creamy soft cheeses from Burgundy such as Chaource, or mild lactic matches that embrace the roundness of integrated oak.
• Desserts: rarely suited to sweet pairings; avoid dessert matches and rather keep this wine for saline and creamy flavours that suit it best.

Tasting occasions

Les Referts 2023 accompanies table narratives where every detail matters. Its presence, precision and mouthfeel make it an ideal partner for multi-course services, where aromatic progression can unfold. It presents as a terroir signature to be enjoyed in the calm of a private dinner or shared among enthusiasts who appreciate the French art of living.

• To elevate a gastronomic dinner where butter, citrus and short jus meet the wine’s chalky impetus.
• As a gift for an enthusiast, combining a house signature and site character, promising a fine evolution over 5 to 7 years.
• At the heart of a themed tasting of Côte de Beaune Premiers Crus, to contrast opulence and tension.

Characteristics

• Name: Domaine Louis Latour, Les Referts 2023
• Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC
• Type: White wine
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape variety: Chardonnay (100%)
• Alcohol: Not disclosed
• Ageing: 8 to 10 months in oak barrels, 50% new
• Bottle size: Not disclosed
• Cellaring: 5 to 7 years
• Serving temperature: 12–14 °C