Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes 2018

Description

“Jean Marc Boillot is a star of the Côte d’Or … Few Burgundians are as talented in producing both whites and reds as Boillot.  Few also have such a clear vision of what great Burgundy should taste like.  With no fewer than 21 appellations at his disposal, he manages to produce seductively rich, dense and concentrated whites and reds in all years.”  Per Henrik Mansson. Wine Spectator

Jean Marc Boillot is a grandson of Etienne Sauzet and was previously winemaker for Olivier Leflaive. With that mixture of winemaking pedigree and experience it comes as no surprise that Jean Marc Boillot makes sensational wines.  He is one of those rare commodities in Burgundy – a winemaker who produces both red and white wines of the highest quality.  Now assisted by daughter Lydie and son Benjamin, Jean Marc Boillot set up his own domaine in 1985.  He started with some rented vines in Pommard adding Volnay and Pommard from his grandfather’s side in 1988 and the whites,  a one third share of Domaine Etienne Sauzet, from his grandmother in 1991.  Including generic burgundy, the domaine now farms 11 hectares, five red and six white with the same volume again in négociant cuvées of white wines especially from the Côte Chalonnaise.

Jean Marc Boillot now has 10.5 hectares of vines in the Côte de Beaune which include vineyards previously owned by Domaine Sauzet in Puligny.  He is a stocky, fit, energetic man who does not waste time with words, instead allowing his wines to speak for themselves. His reds are rich, rounded and exhibit great purity of fruit, his white wines are characterised by their huge concentration, class and wonderful expression of their terroir.

“All the whites, except the grand cru, are vinified in the same way – whole bunch pressed, settled for 24 hours then straight to barrel with 25 to 30 per cent new wood, lees stirring once a week and bottling before the next harvest. They are pure, fresh, attractive wines.  The reds are entirely destalked, given a cool soak before the fermentation begins after which a mix of punching down and pumping over is used according to the vintage and vineyard.  Thirteen months barrel ageing, with 50 per cent new barrels, is followed by a further six months maturation in tank before bottling.  The reds show a bright combination between fruit and barrel, good for medium term ageing.” Jasper Morris MW. author of Inside

1.2 acres, 62 year old vines from this fine 1re Cru in Puligny.

Burgundy.

94 points Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy: “Slightly more lemon in the colour and a softer fatter nose after the chiselled Truffière. Then the wine firms up on the palate, considerable power here, the oak not quite integrated yet but it certainly will. Very good depth at the back, a white wine of enormous power but still with balance. Keeps coming back. Tasted: November 2019.”

93 points Neal Martin Vinous Media “The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has a sophisticated bouquet with crushed limestone and flint, like a pimped up version of the Les Referts! The palate is very well balanced with impressive concentration and a killer line of acidity. A spicy, ginger and lemongrass-tinged finish lingers in the mouth. This is an engaging and multi-faceted Les Combettes. January 2020. Drinking window 2022- 2038 ” Very Limited