Gerard Boudot is one of Puligny's most gifted winemakers, married to a granddaughter of the late, great Etienne Sauzet. Although techniques are more modern in the hands of M. Boudot, he faithfully maintains Etienne Sauzet's tradition of hand sorting his fruit before applying the most artisanal effort to small batches of 1er Cru Burgundy. Les Referts is a four hectare site in Puligny that sits lower down the slopes, very close to neighbouring Meursault . Soils here are rich in ochre clays and limestone, imparting exquisite butter and honey characters into the wines.
Originally a Gallo Roman village, as recorded by Pope Urbain II in 1095, Puliniacus became Puligny in 1879 and added the suffix Montrachet in deference to it's greatest vineyard. Vines have been cultivated here since the twelfth century, but Puligny's preeminence as a white wine village is comparatively recent, only since the second world war has it become virtually overtaken by Chardonnay vines. Grapes are picked off vines age forty five years of age grown to a ¾ hectare allotment and vinified at 18C to 22C for three to six weeks in a selection of new and seasoned Troncais and Allier French oak barriques, followed by battonage and eleven months on gross lees before further spell of six on fine lees.
Light golden hue. Delicate aromas of jasmine and white flower, dried citrus and cream, hazelnuts and caramel. A silken textured palate with rich candied apple flavours, butterscotch and floral notes, pineapples, petit fours and brioche from time spent on lees and extravagant treatment of oak. A satisfying, memorable finish with lingering hints of cottage marmalade, preserved lemons and supple cypress oak. A very great wine to enjoy after a few years of age.
