2010 Jean-Marc Boillot Puligny-Montrachet, 375ml

Jean-Marc Boillot is a 27-acre domaine based in Pommard. Jean-Marc is part of a well-known and large winemaking family in Burgundy and in 1989 he inherited vineyards from his grandfather, which allowed him to start his own operation. Boillot makes both red and white wines, and Clive Coates has noted that “this is one of the very few quality domaines in Burgundy which is equally as important in Pinot Noir as Chardonnay…” The domaine includes a Grand Cru parcel in Batard-Montrachet, and Premier Crus in Beaune, Pommard, Volnay and Puligny-Montrachet. Boillot is also a negociant and owns a 42-acre domaine in Languedoc.

Puligny-Montrachet, according to Burgundy writer Clive Coates, “is the greatest white wine commune on earth.” Though other reviewers are not always as extravagant in their praise, there is no question that the appellation’s wines are generally the most lauded Chardonnays in the world. Puligny-Montrachet the commune is tiny, with fewer than 500 residents. Yet the appellation named for it has 1,250 acres of vineyards, including 76 acres of Grands Crus and 247 acres of Premiers Crus. Its four famous Grands Crus are Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. There are 26 Premiers Crus completely or partly in the appellation. The Premiers and Grands Crus vineyards are on slopes that eventually rise to 1,300 feet and become total rock. In his admiration for this appellation, Coates added “The top Montrachets, Chevaliers and Bâtards are wines to drink on bended knees, with heartfelt and humble thanks.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.