Pascal Clément Puligny-Montrachet Village 2021

Puligny-Montrachet is a legendary village in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune – home to all Grand Crus outside of the hill of Corton, as well as other legendary plots adored by Burgundy lovers the world over. In the hands of native son Pascal Clément, this has quickly become a new favorite – and we have the best price in the country on it!

Pascal Clément was born and raised in the village of Savigny-les-Beaune, raised in a family of vignerons, and seemingly destined to one day craft his own wines in Burgundy. That opportunity came about in 2012, after twenty years of study working for both his family domaine and the legendary Domaine Coche-Drury in nearby Meursault. He launched his eponymous micro-négoçiant label, buying up tiny amounts of small parcels of fruit across the best vineyards he could find.

His winemaking style is decidedly non-interventionist, and he works his vines under organic farming to coax the true terroir out of every precious grape he earns. In recent years, he has all but abandoned the use of regular 225-liter barrels, favoring instead the larger 500-liter oak casks that more readily allow the expression of the land and the fruit involved in his diverse portfolio over a relatively short period of just 11 months. Wines will undergo malolactic fermentation (or not) naturally, and depending on the vintage itself, with no bâtonnage driving further development or enhanced mouthfeel. This is Burgundy without adornment, and it is profoundly delicious.

The wine is hypnotic and entrancing from the start, with a bouquet of raw almonds and hazelnut skins, lemongrass, and tart green apples. There are some buttery brioche notes here as well, yet they never dominate, and just sort of float in the air as though you strolled past a Parisian bakery. The finish brings about a complex profile of minerals and wild herbs, with a gentle kiss of honey that serves to both soften and lengthen the wine’s final note – bringing everything into harmony. It’s layered, thoughtful, and wonderfully done...we only wish we had more to share!

PAIRING IDEAS: This would make for an excellent match with cold-water langoustines. More flavorful than lobster, with a sweet briny character that will amplify the sensations of this exceptional wine.