Pernot/Alvina Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Les Folatières 2020

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): “The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet Clos des Folatières 1er Cru comes from heavier soils that ensures the vines do not suffer hydric stress, the vines here planted around 30 years ago. This has a more airy nose, well defined with apple blossom, touches of honeysuckle and citrus peel. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, hints of almond and orange rind, fine depth and focus with hints of apricot on the finish. This should age extremely well in bottle. Drink: 2024-2042. (Dec 2021)”

93+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): “The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos des Folatières wafts from the glass with aromas of pear, musky peach, orange oil, white flowers and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, ample and lively, it’s fleshy and textural, concluding with a long, mineral finish. This has turned out nicely. Drink: 2023-2043. (Jan 2022)”

Bill Nanson (Burgundy Report): “(From the Pernot family’s ‘Clos.’) Here the nose is a little less expansive though the width is still good – and of course classy. So fresh, so intense – like the nose growing in width. An inner, almost stony density to this wine. Super-impressive but it will need time to fully unfurl. Bravo! (12/23/21)”

In a sense, Folatières is the flagship site of the Pernot family holdings, as they are by far the largest owners within this climat (it’s also the largest premier cru vineyard in the Côte de Beaune). The Pernot vines lie within a walled enclosure called Clos des Folatières, and the label will almost certainly carry that designation. Much of Folatières lies along the same contour as Chevalier-Montrachet and Le Montrachet, so its tendency to ripe, rich fruit (though imbued with minerality and focus) should not come as a huge surprise.