2011 Chassagne Montrachet Les Macherelles

Pale straw. Yellow fruits, honey and smoky oak on the nose. Nicely rich and silky on the palate, with a firm acid edge to the flavors of peachy fruit salad, smoke and spices. Shows more fat than the village Puligny but there's also good minerality here. The firm finish shows a note of clove. These vines were planted in 2003, and this cuvee has shown more depth the past couple of years.

Carillon's 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Macherelles is tense and vibrant from start to finish. White pears, peach and lime notes meld into crushed rocks and slate in a cool, reticent Chassagne that is going to need time to fully come together. Hints of Chamomile, honey, mint and hazelnuts add complexity. The slightly early harvest gives the Macherelles much of its pure, unbridled energy. This parcel in Macherelles was originally planted with Pinot, but was replanted with Chardonnay in 2003.

(still finishing its malo): Honey and marzipan on the nose. Ripe, plump yellow peach, pear and pineapple flavors along with a more exotic honeyed nuance. Finishes with a note of menthol and a slightly dusty, phenolic quality. This was bottled as a village wine until 2009.