Among the most sought-after climats of Puligny-Montrachet, the 1er Cru Les Pucelles 2023 from Domaine Vincent Girardin embodies the subtle art of a great Burgundy white, balancing purity of line with depth of texture. Here, delicacy never reads as fragility: it asserts itself confidently in an aesthetic of nuance that defines high-quality limestone terroirs. This cuvée is aimed at discerning lovers seeking a lace-like Chardonnay—vibrant, precise, both caressing and upright—able to accompany finely crafted cuisine and to dazzle in blind tasting by its aromatic clarity. It stands out for its mineral straightness, floral grace and a savoury length that prolongs the pleasure with rare distinction. Each sip tells of a landscape, the imprint of a soil, the brightness of a vintage, and a winemaking gesture that listens more than it imposes, delivering the right balance between intensity and finesse.

Blend and winemaking

Produced exclusively from Chardonnay, the emblematic grape of the Côte de Beaune, this Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru highlights the aromatic precision and verticality typical of the Les Pucelles climat. The harvest, carried out with meticulous care, preserves the integrity of the berries to capture the fruit's innate freshness and sap. The élevage, conducted with restraint, respects the terroir’s breath, allowing the minerality to unfold without artifice. Work on fine lees brings roundness and a silky mouthfeel, while controlled oxygenation builds complexity without weighing the wine down. The result, bright and clean, combines floral grace, lifted tension and infused depth for a clear reading of the vintage and a signature perfectly mastered by the domaine.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Pale gold with pearly highlights, clear and iridescent, promising a satiny texture and contained energy.
• Nose: An upright bouquet of white flowers, citrus zest, fresh almond and wet stone, spiced by a hint of fresh butter and faint sweet spice accents.
• Palate: Pure, focused attack; mid-palate broad and caressing, woven with a noble salinity. Long, precise finish with a delicate chalky note that is the hallmark of Puligny's great terroirs.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 10–12°C in wide glasses to promote the bouquet's development and reveal the aromatic layers. A light decanting or brief aeration a few minutes before serving helps open the floral register and minerality. Stored in a cool cellar, protected from vibration and light, this 1er Cru can evolve gracefully, revealing more developed nuances over time. It can be enjoyed now for its purity and radiance, while offering ageing potential depending on storage conditions.

Food pairings

• Appetisers: light gougères, thin mushroom tartlets, fish rillettes.
• Starters: scallop carpaccio, shelled brown crab with citrus, white asparagus with mousseline sauce.
• Main courses: sole meunière, roasted turbot, free-range poultry in cream with morels, pike quenelles with Nantua sauce.
• Cheeses: aged Comté, Beaufort, Brillat-Savarin, mild fresh goat cheeses.
• Desserts: thin pear tart, poached citrus, lightly sweetened vanilla shortbread.

Occasions

This cuvée splendidly accompanies the rituals of the French table as well as intimate moments where the sophisticated simplicity of a great wine is celebrated.

• To honour a gourmet dinner where detail matters.
• At a tasting among enthusiasts dedicated to great Chardonnay terroirs.
• As an exceptional gift that conveys discreet, assured elegance.

Product details

• Name: Les Pucelles 2023, Domaine Vincent Girardin
• Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC
• Type: White wine
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape variety: Chardonnay
• Alcohol: Not specified
• Ageing: Specified by the domaine
• Volume: Not specified
• Cellaring: Drink now, with potential to evolve depending on storage
• Serving temperature: 10–12°C