Louis Jadot Puligny Montrachet Clos de la Garenne 1er Cru 2015

Puligny Montrachet and Chassagne Montrachet are at the centre of the four communes comprising that form the part of the Côte de Beaune know as the Côte des Blancs (Meursault, Blagny, Chassagne and Puligny), so named for the quality and predominance of its white wines. Puligny Montrachet is situated directly to the south of Meursault and to the north of Chassagne-Montrachet. It shares with Chassagne a handful of the greatest white wine vineyards in the world. Les Referts, classified 1er Cru, is adjacent to the commune of Meursault, and right above Les Combettes and Clos de la Garenne. The clay and chalk soil, which is very stony, drains well and warms through easily.

Weather: 2015 has been drawn to comparisons to the excellent 2005. A wet winter was needed to replenish the soils that had been left dry from the previous hot, dry summer. Patches of rain throughout the year ensured a freshness in the grapes. The nights were hot in late June and July and as a result saw some fruits fall off the bunches leading to lower yields. The grape structure had thick skins which mean ripe tannins and polyphenols.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Bâtard Montrachet
Grape Varities: 100% Chardonnay
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: The Puligny Montrachet 1er cru Les Referts has a pale gold colour. The soils give to this wine a very fine structure and mineral character, with fruit, honey and herbaceous aromas. On the palate, the acidity is perfectly balanced and the wine has a good length. This great wine will perfectly match the finest cooking: shellfish, poached fish, strong cheeses like Munster and ripe Comté. In good cellaring conditions, this wine can be kept for 8 to 12 years. .

Louis Henry Denis Jadot founded Maison Louis Jadot in 1859. But even before then, Maison Jadot had its roots in the vineyards, with the Jadot family's purchase of Clos des Ursules in 1826. The négociant house expanded rapidly under the guidance of Louis Henry Denis Jadot, with a focus on the markets of northern Europe. His son, Louis Jean Baptiste, took over the management of the company in 1900 and expanded operations by buying numerous vineyards, including Corton Charlemagne and Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles.

The next generation, under the guidance of Louis Auguste Jadot, developed new export markets, particularly those in England and the US, with the help of Rudy Kopf, the founder of the Kobrand Corporation. In 1954, André Gagey joined the company as Louis Auguste Jadot's deputy. On the latter's premature death in 1962, André Gagey succeeded him as Maison Jadot's director. And, in 1984, André Gagey's son, Pierre-Henry, joined the company. In 1985, in order to ensure the company's future, Madame Jadot decided to sell the company to the family of Rudy Kopf, Jadot's US importer. Pierre-Henry Gagey became president of Maison Louis Jadot in 1992.

Cellar Master: Jacques Lardière
Winery Location: Beaune | Burgundy
Annual Production (bottles): Undisclosed