2017 Puligny Montrachet Les Combettes

The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru is vibrant and energetic, offering much more mineralité and terroir expression on the nose compared to the Folatières. The small yield renders the aromatics more concentrated. The palate is very well balanced with a killer line of acidity, superb concentration, a tang of seaweed on the front of the tongue and a saline back palate. This is a Puligny that seems to have relished the benevolent growing season. Superb.

The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes opens in the glass with aromas of green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and beeswax. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with more flesh, concentration and chewy extract than the Folatières, chunkier in profile but deeper and more profound.

Farmed not owned but can still be labelled as a domaine wine. Higher than Folatières. Barrel sample. Stony like the Folatières but doesn’t have its Chablis-like dustiness. There’s precise citrus and just a hint of white blossom giving another dimension. Smoky and flinty on the palate. Then the citrus fruit concentration is a surprise on the palate. The fruit persists to a long finish. (JH)