1996 Domaine Matrot Puligny-Montrachet Les Chalumeaux 1er Cru

Revealing beguiling stone, flower, and almond scents, the Puligny-Montrachet Les Chalumeaux is a rich, broad, medium-to-full-bodied, and dense wine loaded with nut-laced candy, chalk, and floral elements. Vibrant, well-balanced, and elegant, this offering should be at its peak from 2001 to 2005. In their youth, Matrot's whites often appear to be lean, but, like Francois Jobard's Meursaults, it is because they are wound as tightly as a spring. If they must be drunk young, readers should decant them prior to the meal. This estate officially has two names, Domaine Joseph Matrot and Domaine Pierre Matrot. "Joseph" is used for wines sold to Vineyard Brands (these include the Meursault, Meursault Les Chevalieres, Meursault Blagny, Meursault Charmes, Puligny-Montrachet Les Chalumeaux, and the two reds that will be reviewed in the upcoming Cote de Beaune report). The Seagram Chateau & Estate Wines Company imports Domaine Pierre Matrot's wines, which include the Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes, Meursault Perrieres, Puligny-Montrachet Les Chalumeaux, and the Volnay Santenots. Importer for Domaine Joseph Matrot: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802. Importer for Domaine Pierre Matrot: Seagram Chateau & Estate Wines Company, New York, NY; tel (212) 572-7725.