2008 Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 1er Cru is youthful in colour, showing little signs of ageing. Likewise, the bouquet is quite backward and needs coaxing, revealing touches of hazelnut, white linen and jasmine, a little damp earth. The palate is very well balanced, great intensity, plenty of fruit, grapefruit and fig, quite saline towards the finish. This is very complex - an outstanding 2008 white Burgundy that is ageing with style.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
My own contribution was white Burgundy. Domaine Bachelet-Monnot down in Maranges is one of my go-to producers, though I need more experience of mature vintages and so I poured a 2008 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 1er Cru. Showing just a little ageing in color, it has a knockout bouquet that is surprisingly flinty for a 2008, almost Chablis-like, not far from a Vincent Dauvissat of similar age. The palate is beautifully balanced with finely detailed hazelnut, almond and crushed stone notes. It displays wonderful weight and length, a Folatières that just feels effortless and sophisticated. Bon vin! And unlike the Selosse, it gave so much pleasure.
Much more classic on the nose than the Referts, leading with flowers and nut oils. Then suave, tactile and fresh in the mouth, with harmonious acidity framing the stone fruit and floral flavors. Wonderfully elegant wine with palate-saturating breadth and impressive persistence. Marc assures me that the 2009 will be even better than this. It may be longer, but will it be fresher?
Low-key nose and masses of acidity but also good silky fruit and intensity. Very powerful for a 2008. Just a very slight lack of body. But ambitious and well done. (JR)