2010 Pierre Yves Colin-Morey Puligny-Montrachet Le Trézin

Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is a 13.5-acre domaine in Chassagne-Montrachet. Pierre-Yves is the eldest son of Marc Colin, who 40 years ago started the domaine that would become Marc Colin et Fils. Today Marc Colin et Fils is run by Marc’s two younger sons. Pierre-Yves was winemaker for Marc Colin et Fils from 1995 to 2005, but in 2006 Pierre-Yves struck out on his own with a small domaine and a micro-negociant business. He has expanded his properties since then and now his grapes are about 70% from his own parcels and 30% purchased. Colin-Morey produces about 6,000 cases a year and has Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards in Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. Pierre-Yves makes mostly white wines, from Grand Crus to villages appellations. But it is his Premier Cru whites that have most impressed reviewers and collectors. Clive Coates notes that Pierre-Yves makes wine that “is pure, elegant and precise. He is a name to watch.”

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.