Domaine Fernand & Laurent Pillot, St-Aubin 1er cru Blanc, Sentier du Clou, Burgundy, France, 2024

Producer Profile

Laurent Pillot, who took over the running of this domaine in his mid-20s, transformed his family’s estate from one devoted to grape-growing into one of the more distinguished winemaking estates in the Côte de Beaune, though he has since transferred the winemaking responsibilities to his son, Adrien.

Consisting of a superb collection of vineyards and a modern winemaking facility on the edge of St Aubin, both the domaine’s reds and whites are of an excellent quality – notably the white Chassagne-Montrachet and the rounded, sultry Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Rouge, both of which clearly express a beautiful underlying minerality.

Viticulture

Chardonnay vines, pruned in simple Guyot, cover 1.01 acres and were planted in 2007. The steep vineyard sits on very calcareous soils of white marl with fallen rocks. Fossils are commonly found, revealing the ancient marine origin of the site and contributing to the wine’s mineral character.

Winemaking

he grapes are harvested by hand and gently pressed. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, allowing the juice to develop complexity while preserving freshness. The wine remains in barrel until the following summer to integrate structure and character before bottling at the estate.

Tasting Note

The wine shows a youthful touch of oak, opening with aromas of citrus peel and white fruits. On the palate it offers fine texture, brightness and tension, with a distinct mineral freshness. Salinity and aromatic persistence reflect the limestone-rich terroir, allowing graceful ageing over several years.

Food matching

deal with freshwater fish such as pikeperch served with butter, or enjoyed as an aperitif, where its freshness and discreet oak enhance simple, elegant dishes.