Among the most sought-after white wines of Burgundy, the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières 2023, Domaine Joseph Drouhin expresses the purity of a legendary slope where limestone comes to the surface and gives wines an inimitable grace. On this stony mid-slope, the Chardonnay vines draw mineral energy that translates into a bright verticality and a finely chiseled texture. The warm, generous 2023 vintage produced perfectly ripe grapes, without excess, revealing a palette of juicy yellow fruits, white flowers and gentle spices. In the glass, the Puligny signature is immediately apparent, that rare union of finesse and authority that appeals to connoisseurs seeking a top gastronomic wine to accompany the finest tables or to rest serenely in the cellar. Les Folatières 2023 answers the expectations of aesthetes who want both immediate emotion and aging potential, with the extra soul given by the hand of Maison Joseph Drouhin, a historic reference of Burgundian elegance. You will appreciate its sovereign balance between sunlit generosity, sap-like freshness and floral length, the hallmark of a major terroir and masterful élevage.

Blend and winemaking

Made exclusively from Chardonnay hand-harvested into ventilated picking crates, this 1er Cru benefits from careful sorting in the vineyard. The slow pressing in a pneumatic press preserves the delicacy of the juices, which are separated into free-run juice and press fractions for greater precision. After a light settling, the transfer to barrels allows alcoholic and malolactic fermentation to take place. The aging, lasting 16 to 18 months, uses French oak barrels with a controlled proportion of 20 to 25 % new wood to add texture and complexity without masking the terroir's chalky imprint. This patient approach, respectful of balance, aims for the silkiest possible texture, a nuanced bouquet and a clear terpene signature, in line with the Drouhin philosophy focused on harmony, precision and the clarity of the climat.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Pale bright gold with sunlit highlights, clear and luminous, announcing a pure, concentrated material.
• Nose : Complex and aristocratic, blending delicate honey, honeysuckle, fresh almond and ripe yellow fruits such as peach and mirabelle plum. With aeration, hazelnut and toasted almond emerge, alongside fine spice and a chalky breath.
• Palate : Broad, caressing entry with a velvety texture supported by a straight mineral backbone. The balance marries generosity and freshness with remarkable grip. The finish is long and floral, unfolding with grand-style elegance.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru at around 13 °C in large white wine glasses to reveal the full breadth of its bouquet. Allowing it to open for a few dozen minutes will refine its expression; avoid heavy decanting to preserve its aromatic delicacy. Store bottles in a cool, stable cellar away from light, lying on their side. Its remarkable cellaring potential is between 8 and 20 years after the vintage, with a maturity plateau where notes of dried fruit, fine spices and increased saline complexity appear. You can therefore choose between the youthful grace of 2023, all energy and yellow fruit, or the emotion of a more mature age, more developed, more contemplative.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : iodized bites, herb tartlets, sparingly served gougères to respect the wine’s delicacy.
• Starters : scallop carpaccio, sea bass tartare with citrus, fine shellfish ravioli.
• Main courses : noble fish such as turbot or sole, lobster and langoustine, poultry in cream sauce and reduced jus.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, Beaufort, mature Parmesan, served at room temperature to highlight the mineral tension.
• Desserts : lightly sweet citrus tart, almond shortbread with candied lemon, a subtle floral finish.

Occasions

This 1er Cru discreetly uplifts haute cuisine moments and enhances tables where every detail matters.

• To celebrate a special occasion combining refinement and emotion.
• At a seasonal dinner featuring delicate seafood cooking.
• As an exceptional gift for a lover of great Burgundian wines.

Details

• Name : Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières 2023, Domaine Joseph Drouhin
• Appellation : Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC
• Type : White wine, Fine wines
• Vintage : 2023
• Grape : Chardonnay 100 %
• Aging : 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels including 20 to 25 % new
• Terroir : stony, chalky mid-slope, climat Les Folatières
• Winemaking : hand-harvested, slow pressing, light settling, barrel fermentations
• Cellaring : optimal drinking between 8 and 20 years
• Serving temperature : 13 °C