Established: 2002 (previously Gerard Chavy)

Appellations:

  • AOC Bourgogne

  • AOC Puligny Montrachet

Proprietor: Jean-Louis Chavy

Winemaker: Jean-Louis Chavy

Wine Making Overview: whole bunch pressing and 24 hours settling of of must with temperature control before fermentation with natural yeasts. No battonage, ageing mostly in 350 litre barrels (up to 30% new) for 12 months for Bourgogne and up to 16 months for village and 1er cru’s.

Average Production: 2000 Dozens

Viticulture: Sustainable using organic principles

Vegan Friendly: yes

Vineyard Area: 7 ha

Vineyards:

  • Bourgogne

  • Puligny Montrachet AC

  • Puligny Montrachet Folatieres Premier Cru

  • Puligny Montrachet Perrieres Premier Cru

  • Puligny Montrachet Clavoillons Premier Cru

  • Puligny Montrachet Champ Gains Premier Cru

Vine Density: 8000 to 11000

 
This domaine is a very dependable source.
— The Great Domaines of Burgundy, Remington Norman

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Whilst Chavy’s have been living in Puligny Montrachet for over 200 years it was not until 1986 that Gerard Chavy started to estate bottle his own wine (previously the wines were sold to negotiants).

The estate of Gerard Chavy was split into 2 separate estates by his sons, Jean-Louis Chavy, and Alain Chavy following the retirement of Gerard around 2005. We import the wines from Jean-Louis who has built a spacious brand new wine-making facility and a deep temperature controlled cellar at the bottom of the village where Jean-Louis can work comfortably with needing to move the wines in his cool temperature controlled cellar.

Vinification is classic with whole bunch pressing and 24 hours of settling with temperature control and only natural yeasts used for fermentation. Jean-Louis has not used any battonage on any cuvees for some years now. The average age of vines at this estate is impressive with most vineyards now aged between 20 to 40 years old though some in Folatieres and Clavoillons are more than 60 years old.

For the elevage of the wines the use of new oak is restrained with the village Puligny seeing only 15% new oak and the 1er cru’s just 25%. Recent years have seen a move towards 350 litre barrels for ageing to have less oak influence. Unfortunately there are no Grand cru vineyards among his holdings, however his 1er cru’s are located very close to some of the best vineyards in the heart of Puligny.

Jean-Louis’ wines are effortless and unforced showing fine fruit purity and crystal clear terroir definition for each 1er cru. These are wines of classic style that age and develop gracefully. Quantities are always very limited and these wines sell out very quickly on arrival.

2021 Bourgogne Blanc
From vines bordering on to Puligny AC vineyards. Shows wonderful perfume and depth for this level. Aged 3/4 in barrel (none new) and 1/4 in stainless steel. This wine shows great aromas and very clear fruit expression and offers a lot of pleasure from an early age. This is an outstanding value and a great introduction to the spotlessly pure wines of Jean-Louis Chavy.

2021 Puligny Montrachet AC
From ten small parcels of 20-60 year old vines. Les Tremblot, ("more Puligny in character, as the soil is argileous," says Jean-Louis); Les Meix, Les Levrons (more rounded wine for there are more stones and gravel here and it is not so heavy), Corvée des Vignes and Les Reuchaux. These small vineyard holdings are all just below the premier cru’s close to the village and cover the diversity of Puligny from north to south. Just 20% new oak for this wine which always shows excellent balance and drinking pleasure from an early age.

2021 Puligny Montrachet 1er cru "Folatieres"
From 0.51 ha of vines in 2 separate plots planted 1993 and 1965, one in the steepest stoniest part close to Blagny which contributes excellent acidity and structure, the other part is from lower down where the soil is richer and this part gives greater richness and depth to the wine. This shows wonderful intensity and generosity. “Fine bright pale straw with a very good weight of fruit, more fruit than floral on the nose. This stretches out beautifully across the palate, white fruit along with a hint of Mirabelle, acidity present but folded into the fruit, very good persistence. Shows real old vine intensity and depth and very complete even at this early stage.”

2021 Puligny Montrachet 1er cru "Perrieres"
From 0.146 ha of vines planted in 1986 which were purchased by Jean-Louis. The 2018 vintage of this wine is showing particularly well and very complete. “Has a lifted mineral nose with subtle scents of honeysuckle and almond, certainly endowed with the vigour one expects from this vineyard. The palate is fine, harmonious and svelte on the entry. This is a Perrieres demonstrating typical fine mineral nuance, though it needs more time to develop and show its best.”

2021 Puligny Montrachet 1er cru “Champ Gains”
50+ yo vines. This 1er cru is located high on the slope, just above Folatieres. Jean-Louis describes this wine as always showing very well from a young age. “Fresh, bright orchard aromas; as always quite floral and high toned. Bright citric fruit on the palate with lively acid structure and excellent length. More discrete and tightly woven than the 2 above 1er cru’s, but with excellent potential as the structure and balance are impressive. Very promising.” 

2020 Puligny Montrachet 1er cru “Clavoillons” - SOLD OUT (none in 2021)
Premier cru Clavoilons lies right in the middle of the Puligny Appellation between Perrieres to the north and Les Pucelles bordering on the south side. Here Jean-Louis has 0.32 ha of vines planted in 1952 just below Folatieres. “There is a lovely density to the aromas and to the core of this wine. The palate is lively and the minerality zesty, which lightens the concentrated character. Bright, citrus fruits linger on the finish.”