2011 Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres

The 2011 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatieres is pure seduction in the glass. Open and beautifully expressive, the 2011 covers every inch of the palate with subtle layers of intensely perfumed fruit. Mint, white flowers and apricots are some of the many nuances that come to life on the impeccably poised, brilliant finish.

The 2011 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres has a pretty bouquet that is stony and mineral-rich, perhaps stylistically more 2010. The palate is nicely balanced but does not quite have the verve I was expecting for such a propitious lieu-dit. It is very linear and precise, although it needs a little more character on the finish that is a little abrupt. Following last issue’s “amuse bouche,” I could not miss an opportunity to visit Pierre-Yves at his winery in the village of Chassagne to take a look at his 2011s. “I like the 2011s because they give a lot of pleasure when they are young,” he said to me. “But I think they could age very well. The wines are on the ripe side – a bit like 2001 or maybe 2002. But I think it is a complete vintage. Personally, I prefer 2010 which is more on the mineral side, but the 2011s appeal to a wider audience, and in a way, bring people to Burgundy. When the customers come to the estate, they seem to have never heard about the 2011 vintage and so they do not know what to expect. But when they taste them they were quite easy to sell.” Pierre-Yves 2011s do not disappoint, mostly imbued with the delineation and poise we have come to expect from this top-tier producer who demonstrates that you do not necessarily have to own all your vines to create exceptional wines. We briefly discussed his move away from new oak and he admitted that perhaps during his initial vintages he was trying to impress. That is only natural. He has retreated from the cooperage to employ a minimal amount of new wood and things are about to change again. He had just taken delivery of two 11-hectolitre wooden troconic tanks that he will trial with the 2013 vintage, probably on one of the St. Aubin wines such as En Remilly. I cannot wait to taste the results. The Chassagne-Montrachets underwent a longer elevage than the St. Aubins and were bottled two months prior to my visit in July 2013. Importer: Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; also imported by Bertin Henri Selections, Doral, FL; tel. (305) 343-4054

Broad and floral on the nose. Not that concentrated but delicately balanced. Bounces along. Very charming. Long. (JR)