2018 Albert Ponnelle Santenay Les Carmelites Blanc

Albert Ponnelle is an estate and a negociant with deep roots in Burgundy. Pierre-Lazare Ponnelle founded the business in Beaune in 1870, and today the estate is run by Pierre Ponnelle, the fifth generation of the family to take the helm. Albert Ponnelle owns vineyards in Côte de Beaune Village and Premier Cru appellations, and the estate also vinifies and bottles red and white Burgundy from other appellations, including several Grand Crus. The Bourgogne Réserve de la Chèvre Noire wines come from the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. They are partly aged in oak barrels. The names of the wines are an affectionate nod to an old regional tale about a famous black goat known for drifting from the herd to snack on choice grapes in the best vineyards. Each year Albert Ponnelle creates a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir under the Chèvre Noir label as an homage to the black goat with a connoisseur’s taste.

Santenay is the southernmost appellation in the Côte d’Or. The appellation includes the communes of Santenay and Remigny and it has 813 vineyard acres. Both red and white wines can be made within the Santenay appellation, though in practice about 85% of the wine produced here is red. Pinot Blanc may be used in white wines, though most white Santenays are 100% Chardonnay. Though there are no Grands Crus, Santenay boasts 12 Premiers Crus. Among the best Premiers Crus vineyards are Clos de Tavannes, La Comme, Les Gravières and Le Passe Temps. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “good Santenays share a robust, tannic, earthy character with a bouquet that suggests cherry and strawberry fruit intertwined with the smell of sautéed almonds.” Clive Coates has noted that the white wines of Santenay “should be crisp, medium-bodied and fruity, less racy but fuller than Saint-Aubins, perhaps with a touch of spice…”

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.