Jean Chartron

15 Mar 2012: A very interesting tasting of 2009 vintage wines by Domaine Jean Chartron, courtesy of Paul and Julie. We started with a Puligny Montrachet Clos de La Pucelle, a monopole owned by the Chartron family since 1917.   30% new oak.  12 months ageing on fine lees.  Honey, nutty, slightly toasty, and spicy, with mineral notes.  Medium-bodied, showing vibrant acidity, more saline and savoury notes on the palate. Finishes long. 

The Puligny Montrachet Clos du Cailleret was unfortunately slightly corked.

Batard Montrachet.  40% new oak and 16 months ageing on fine lees.  Smoke, mineral, liquorice and yeasty notes, enhanced with floral, honey, exotic fruit and spicy oak complexities.  Rounded and expansive on the palate, with a substantial mid-palate. Very long ageing potential but totally approachable today and very drinkable!

Chevalier Montrachet Clos des Chevaliers.  Much more spicy, mineral and austere.  A very engaging mid-palate of wet stones.  Much more linear, mineral and precise than the Batard. A very long finish. Needs quite a bit more time to build weight and complexities.  A very compelling high quality Chevalier Montrachet.  Not to be missed. Paul kindly left us some to retaste the following day and it was much richer and much more smokey and liquorice.

According to Paul, the prices are rather reasonable......I highly recommend!