Puligny Montrachet Joseph Pascal 2023

Puligny Montrachet, Joseph Pascal, Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France, 2023      

Grape: 100% Chardonnay, 3ha vineyard on clay-limestone soil, 44 year old vines, barrel fermented, aged in oak for 11 months (25% new) 

Bouquet bringing together notes of hawthorn, lemongrass, green apple and flint. Loads of sparky energy and density on the palate. Tight structure, persistent with a long mineral finish. Floral and ripe with a slight hint of nuttiness.

Critic's Tasting Note:

"Pure, piercing limey-citrus. Only moderate intensity – typical in this vintage – but direct and precise. Stony/mineral overlay to the fruit. Richer than I expected on the palate, all that lovely purity and freshness to a long finish" Drink 2026-2030

16.5/20 points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, January 2025

Jean Pascal runs his small family domaine in the village of Puligny by meticulous traditional winemaking. With small parcels of vineyards located across 4 communes in the Cote de Beaune and a reputation for excellent value white burgundies, his Puligny Montrachet does not disappoint. It is wonderfully elegant, not overly oaked and retains a lovely concentration of fruit, displaying butterscotch and hazelnut notes, and finishing with complex flavours of brioche and cinnamon. From the 2022 vintage, the domaine has now been renamed as "Joseph Pascal" after Jean's father.

Pascal 2023 Vintage Report:

Despite the unstable summer weather, the end result is stunning. The Chardonnay reached full maturity in perfect health, while preserving enough freshness to live up to the reputation of Burgundy. The white wines are fruity and express a beautiful aromatic complexity, with very good acidity. 

Food Matching:

Pair with poultry or fish in creamy sauces, grilled lobster and langoustine, foie gras, Epoisses or Roquefort cheeses