Domaine François Carillon - Bourgogne Blanc - Le Vieux Clos 2024
Located in Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine François Carillon continues a family winemaking tradition dating back to 1520. After many years working within the Louis Carillon estate, François Carillon founded his own vineyard in 2010 and pursues a demanding approach to viticulture, emphasizing precision, freshness, and terroir expression. While his Premier Crus from Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet are the estate's most prestigious references, his regional cuvées receive the same attention. Le Vieux Clos is one of these unique cuvées, originating from a climat located in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet. This origin gives it a more precise identity than a blended Bourgogne Chardonnay, with an expression directly linked to its birthplace. The characteristic clay-limestone soils of the area favor a Chardonnay combining aromatic finesse, freshness, and depth. Le Vieux Clos thus illustrates the estate's ability to produce regional Bourgognes with a true personality.
Le Vieux Clos 2024 is made exclusively from Chardonnay, grown respecting the vineyard's natural balances. François Carillon favors mechanical soil work and excludes herbicides, with particular attention to vigor control and grape quality. Harvesting is done by hand, preserving the integrity of the bunches until they arrive at the winery. After gentle pressing and settling, the musts ferment in oak barrels, where alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place. Aging continues in wood, with a measured use of new barrels to preserve the aromatic purity of the Chardonnay. An additional period in tank then harmonizes the texture and naturally stabilizes the wine before bottling. In the 2024 vintage, marked by cool conditions and demanding ripening, this precise vinification should particularly highlight the tension and finesse of the terroir.
Le Vieux Clos 2024 should reveal a delicate bouquet of fresh lemon, crisp pear, and white flowers, accompanied by hints of almond and fresh hazelnut. The aromatic expression favors clarity and finesse rather than overt ripeness. On the palate, the attack is lively and precise, with a supple body that gradually gains volume thanks to barrel aging. The acidity brings energy to the whole and underlines the chiseled character of the Chardonnay. A chalky sensation and fine citrus bitterness should extend the finish, giving the wine a persistence beyond what is usually expected from a regional appellation. Already appealing in its youth, Le Vieux Clos also has enough structure to gain complexity after a few years in bottle. It will ideally accompany seared scallops, sole fillet with beurre blanc, grilled fish, creamy poultry dishes, or lightly aged pressed cheeses.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
