Albert Bichot, Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France, 2022

Product code: 6291

Producer Profile

The Bichot family have had connections to wine since 1831, when Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in Monthélie.

Bernard’s son, Hippolyte, bought the first of the family’s vines in Volnay and his son Albert gave the family business momentum in the late 19th century, settling in the heart of Beaune where they still follow their dream to this day. Having gone off to find adventure in the world, travelling extensively from the Arctic to the Antarctic, Albéric Bichot returned to Beaune and took over the business in 1996; and though he fully respects the family’s traditions, he is completely focused on the future. Albéric compares himself to the “conductor of an orchestra, proud to bring people and their talents together in a common project”. He tackles the many challenges faced by the region with energy, converting to organic viticulture in the Côte-d’Or vineyards, adapting to new markets as they emerge, and increasing the prestige and exposure of Burgundy wines worldwide. He remains convinced that the quality of the grapes is what determines the quality of the wine and is currently focused on work begun in the 1980s to secure supplies and expand vinification and cellaring capacity.

Viticulture

The vineyard is rooted in calcareous clay soils with pockets of marl, providing ideal conditions for producing wines of remarkable finesse and complexity. Situated in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet is one of Burgundy's most prestigious white wine appellations. Nestled between Meursault to the north and Chassagne-Montrachet to the south, it is celebrated worldwide for crafting some of the finest expressions of Chardonnay.

Winemaking

The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted before gentle pressing to preserve their purity and character. Fermentation is followed by ageing on fine lees in oak barrels, with 20 to 30% new oak, for 14 to 16 months, adding complexity and depth while maintaining the wine's elegance.

Tasting Note

Pale yellow and gold in colour, there is oak and vanilla on the nose that opens out to white peach and hawthorn blossom. Plenty of length on the palate, well balanced and mineral like.