The history of the Chartron Family is closely entwined with that of Burgundy, and more precisely with that of Puligny Montrachet. Jean Edouard Dupard, the first of the dynasty, obtained when mayor of Puligny in 1879, the right to associate the name of the village to the most famous vineyard “Le Montrachet”.
From father to son, the Chartron are men of the soil. Not of any soil, but the varied and magical soil of Burgundy. The area is a study in excellence of the expression of the soil in wines. Parcels of different type and structure, geological variations offer a complex and diverse range of wines.
With the passage of time, acreage of the domaine has increased to twelve hectares in Puligny Montrachet and its neighboring villages and nowadays Domaine Chartron is one of the most superb estates in the village of Puligny Montrachet, in particular for the quality of its premier and grand crus vineyards.
The cru wines are fermented and aged in oak barrels in the domaine air-conditioned cuverie, though regional appellations are partly made in stainless steel too. The percentage of new oak barrels varies between 10 to 40%, the preferred origin of that oak is mainly Allier and a smaller proportion of Vosges – the chosen tonneliers are François Frères, Damy, Seguin-Moreau and Chassin.
Alcoholic fermentation lasts about six to eight weeks and is followed by a malolactic fermentation, helped by an optimal cellar temperature of 62 F. At this period the wines are lightly stirred taking into account their level of evolution.
Once the malolactic fermentation is done, the wines are racked and then starts the maturing process, always in barrels and cold cellars (52-53F) for a period of eight to twelve months according to the appellation and the vintage.
A light fining takes place before bottling.
Jean Chartron Clos de la Pucelle Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The scent of flowering linden and acacia trees provides a heady nose to this wine. Initial flavours are charming, suggesting vanilla-based patisseries. The mineral backbone of the wine only suggests itself in the slightest hint of salinity. A wine to be patient with and preserve.
Review:
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Pucelle Ter Cru, which is half the normal yield, spors a very subtle reduction on the nose, but there is fine delineation and focus here. The palate is well balanced with gaod weight, lime mixed with tangerine and nectarine, crisp acidity with a lightly spiced finish. There i real nobility evident here.
-Vinous 92-94 Points
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia Rioja is made from 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aged for 20 months in new oak barrels - 50% French 50% American.
45 years old vines
Alcohol: 14,5º
Total acidity: 5,73 g./l.
Volatile acidity: 0,73 g./l.
PH: 3,53
Free SO2: 28 mg./l.
Reducing sugars: 1,3 g./l.
The “family reserve” from one of Rioja Alavesa’s most enduring family-run wineries. Wines destined to be the Reserva de la Familia label are made from a selection of grapes from old vines, those which combine a series of characteristics such as good orientation and exposure to the sun, and a poor soil which ensures low yields.
This wine is one of very few Rioja wines to blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Tempranillo. Bodegas Luis Cañas was granted permission by the D.O.Ca. to plant this variety as an experiment in the early 1980s.
Tasting notes
A brilliant garnet color with cherry hints on the edges.
The nose offers a complex variety of aromas that combine to bring an intense and sophisticated wine. Initially we can find very ripe berry fruits, smoky notes, raisins and liquor. After a certain amount of aeration, the cinnamon and jam notes appear and, with a little more time, the roasted and spiced aromas are noticed more clearly.
The palate is full, with a good presence of tannins, although these are offset by the glycerine like character, resulting in a fleshy sensation. Long lasting and lingering finish.
Winemaking and aging:
The grapes were cold macerated for 72 hours upon arrival at the winery. They underwent fermentation at 26º C in sealed cement tanks under constant thermal control, with the must pumped over daily. With the paste devatted by gravity, spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place after 45 days.
The wine was aged for 20 months in 50% medium toasted American and 50% French oak barrels. The barrel ageing not only adds tannins from the wood, but stabilizes the wine naturally. After the final racking, it was clarified in tanks with a small amount of natural egg white, decanted after 30 days and bottled directly without any type of filtration. Because this wine’s evolutionary cycle is quite slow, only corks of the highest quality available were used to ensure that it could be prolonged for several years.