2024 Domaine Étienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Sous le Puits”, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THE WINE

“Sous le Puits” is a distinctive Premier Cru vineyard situated in the upper reaches of Puligny-Montrachet, on the slopes above the village near the hamlet of Blagny. Its elevated position, approximately 300 to 350 meters above sea level, distinguishes it from the lower-lying Premier Cru vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet, offering a cooler growing environment that encourages gradual ripening and preserves the Chardonnay’s natural acidity. The vineyard’s limestone-rich soils, with a relatively thin layer of clay and abundant rocky material, contribute to the wine’s pronounced mineral character, aromatic precision, and refined structure. This combination of altitude, exposure, and distinctive geology produces a particularly vibrant expression of Puligny-Montrachet, emphasizing freshness, tension, and elegance over overt richness.

The vineyards are cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, emphasizing soil vitality, biodiversity, and the natural expression of the terroir. Careful vineyard management and selective harvesting allow the Chardonnay to achieve optimal maturity while retaining the bright acidity and aromatic purity characteristic of this elevated site. Following gentle pressing, the fruit undergoes fermentation and maturation in French oak barrels, with a restrained proportion of new oak that enhances complexity without overwhelming the vineyard’s delicate floral and mineral character. Aging on fine lees contributes subtle richness, depth, and a supple texture while preserving the wine’s vibrant energy and precise mineral definition.

The 2024 vintage highlights the distinctive freshness of Sous le Puits, balancing delicate white floral aromatics, crisp orchard fruit, and bright citrus with a fine mineral backbone and persistent saline finish. Its combination of lively acidity, refined texture, and understated richness makes it an exceptional companion to elegant seafood and poultry dishes, pairing beautifully with seared scallops, grilled langoustines, roasted turbot, or Dover sole with lemon butter. It is equally appealing alongside roast chicken with fresh herbs, delicate mushroom risotto, or aged Comté, where its mineral precision and refreshing acidity complement the richness of the dish.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Domaine Étienne Sauzet is one of the historic white wine estates of Puligny-Montrachet, celebrated for producing Chardonnay that expresses the elegance, complexity, and distinctive mineral character of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. Founded in the early 20th century by Étienne Sauzet, the domaine grew through the acquisition and inheritance of vineyard parcels in and around Puligny-Montrachet. Following his death in 1975, the estate passed to his granddaughter Jeanine and her husband, Gérard Boudot, whose meticulous vineyard management and thoughtful approach to winemaking helped establish its international reputation.

Today, the domaine is led by their daughter Émilie Boudot and her husband, Benoît Riffault, who continue the family’s legacy while embracing environmentally conscious viticulture. The estate encompasses approximately 15 hectares across Puligny-Montrachet and neighboring appellations, with holdings ranging from regional vineyards to some of Burgundy’s most celebrated Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites. Certified organic in 2006, the domaine subsequently adopted biodynamic farming practices, prioritizing healthy soils, biodiversity, and a balanced relationship between the vines and their natural environment.

In the cellar, the domaine follows a philosophy of precision and restrained intervention, allowing the individual character of each vineyard and vintage to take center stage. Careful fruit selection, gentle pressing, measured oak influence, and maturation on fine lees produce wines distinguished by aromatic purity, refined texture, vibrant acidity, and exceptional mineral definition. From its expressive regional bottlings to its prestigious Grand Cru wines, Domaine Étienne Sauzet remains dedicated to crafting Chardonnay that reflects the diversity of Burgundy’s limestone terroirs with elegance, depth, and a profound sense of place.