Variety: Chardonnay

Thierry Pillot is the fourth generation of the Pillot legacy in the legendary Côtes de Beaune of southern Burgundy. Even though the domain began with Thierry’s great grandfather—Jean-Baptist —the domain was named after Paul Pillot—Thierry’s father. Jean-Baptiste was a barrel maker by trade and began focusing on his vines full time in 1900; the estate was born then. Today the estate is run by the energetic Thierry, who spends most of his time in the vineyards, but is a non-interventionist in the cellar with discreet usage of new wood. The family are artists in the cellar when it comes to oak usage; it is very well integrated into the wines. Thierry is one of the finest winemakers in the Côtes de Beaune; if one should come across any of his bottles, don’t hesitate to snatch them up.

This Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from Chassagne-Montrachet and Remigny, both in the southern Cotes de Beaune. Vines here are over 35 year in age. The ageing process is lengthy for a regional level Burgundy Chardonnay with twelve months in smaller oak barrels, 10% of which is new, finishing with another six months in tank. The Pillot family history of barrel making comes through in the balanced treatment used in this bottle.