2016 Domaine Paul Pillot Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy

“Characterful, elegantly textural and mouthwateringly incisive, these are superb white Burgundies, and to my mind, Pillot is one of a handful of exciting producers who win Chassagne-Montrachet the title of Burgundy's most interesting white wine producing village today. That he stills flies somewhat under the radar—at least relative to the quality to be found here—is perplexing. What's more, that's bound to change, and sooner rather than later, so readers shouldn't hesitate to buy whatever bottles they can find.”

“Domaine Paul Pillot is one of those producers making whites with a real gleam, a luminous clarity. I taste hundreds of wines in Burgundy week, and have to scramble through my notes to check in with my views on many of them, but with Domaine Paul Pillot I remember where the table was in the room, and where I was standing as the wine hit my tastebuds.” 

Thierry Pillot’s pure, fragrant Bourgogne rouge hails from two Estate-owned sites on the southern reaches of Chassagne, nearby Chagny and Remigny. The soils here are the classic clay and limestone of the Côte and the vine age is 35 years on average. The grapes are handpicked and mostly destemmed before being naturally fermented and aged for 12 months on lees in a mix of steel vats and used large barrels. For structure and perfume, Pillot employed 25% whole bunches this year and the result is something pretty special. You're going to taste some outrageously delicious Bourgogne-level wines from 2016. Few will offer much more energy and floral charm than this example. Do not miss it.