2020 Puligny-Montrachet, Corvées des Vignes, Jean-Marc Vincent, Burgundy
Critics reviews
Aromas of freshly baked bread, pear, green apple, citrus oil and white flowers introduce the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet Corvée des Vignes, a medium to full-bodied, ample and charming wine that's seamless and enveloping, with lively acids and an open, expressive profile, even just after bottling. It's an excellent effort, even if the terroir here isn't the same level as Vincent's best sites in Santenay and Auxey-Duresses.
In the August 2021 Week 2 Issue of The Wine Advocate, I devoted a feature to the wines and work of Jean-Marc Vincent, so I direct readers to that piece rather than attempt to reprise all its minutiae here.
As I wrote in that piece, my first look at Vincent's 2020s from barrel in Summer 2021 convinced me that this is his finest vintage to date—and by some margin in the case of several cuvées—and when I returned to formally review them in November, those early impressions were if anything strengthened.
These wines set a new benchmark for Santenay, and I couldn't recommend them more warmly.
Drink 2022 - 2042
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (January 2023)
The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet Corvées des Vignes, which was picked on August 27, has a crisp nose of crushed stone, jasmine and pressed white flowers.
The palate is well balanced, taut and fresh, with a fine line of acidity, and lightly spiced toward the finish, which shows good persistence.
The tongue tingles on the aftertaste – almost like tasting a Szechuan pepper. Closure: Diam 10
Drink 2024 - 2038
Neal Martin, Vinous.com (October 2021)
About this WINE
Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent
Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent is a family-owned wine producer based in Burgundy, France and is known for producing high-quality wines from the renowned wine regions of Meursault and Santenay. The domaine is named after its founder, Jean-Marc Vincent, who has been responsible for its success and reputation.
Meursault is famous for its white wines, particularly Chardonnay, and is considered one of the most prestigious appellations in Burgundy. Santenay, on the other hand, is primarily known for its red wines, although it also produces some whites.
Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent is known for its traditional winemaking approach, focusing on terroir expression and allowing each vineyard’s unique characteristics to shine through in the wines. They often use oak barrels for aging, which can impart subtle nuances to the final product.
Puligny-Montrachet
Puligny was one of two villages (along with Chassagne) which gained permission in 1879 to hyphenate the name of its most famous vineyard, Montrachet, to its own.
The reputation of Puligny-Montrachet is based around its four Grands Crus. Montrachet labels often boast a noble, triumphant 'Le' in front of its name, lest you dare confuse it with any lesser wine. It has much to be proud of, with many considering Montrachet to be the greatest white wine in the world. At its best it has an intensity, complexity and elegance that make you wonder how such a wine could be made from mere grapes.
The luxurious and explosive Chevalier-Montrachet is not quite as deep, although it is probably the next best. Only marginally less impressive, and rather more consistent than Montrachet is the richly textured Bâtard-Montrachet (also shared with Chassagne). Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet is equally good, with the focus on honeyed finesse and exquisite balance rather than richness.
These legendary wines are supported by a host of fabulous Premier Cru vineyards capable of reaching Grand Cru quality. Brimming with flavour and intensity, Le Cailleret and Les Pucelles (which both lie across the road from Le Montrachet) are prime candidates, along with Les Demoiselles, Les Combettes and Folatières.
Sandwiched between the larger Chassagne and Meursault, Puligny produces wines that are more striking than any in the Côte d’Or, portraying a floral elegance alongside a stylish, steely concentration. They are very different to Meursault: more refined and delicate, and less rich.
Village level Puligny-Montrachet from top growers can be very good indeed, but is all too often unexciting and disappointing. Grands Crus normally need at least eight years before they can be broached, and last for 20 or more. Premiers Crus should generally be enjoyed between five and 15 years of age; village wines from three to 10 years.
In theory, you can find red Puligny-Montrachet, but it scarcely exists anymore, and is rarely worth the price tag.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
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Description
Aromas of freshly baked bread, pear, green apple, citrus oil and white flowers introduce the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet Corvée des Vignes, a medium to full-bodied, ample and charming wine that's seamless and enveloping, with lively acids and an open, expressive profile, even just after bottling. It's an excellent effort, even if the terroir here isn't the same level as Vincent's best sites in Santenay and Auxey-Duresses.
In the August 2021 Week 2 Issue of The Wine Advocate, I devoted a feature to the wines and work of Jean-Marc Vincent, so I direct readers to that piece rather than attempt to reprise all its minutiae here.
As I wrote in that piece, my first look at Vincent's 2020s from barrel in Summer 2021 convinced me that this is his finest vintage to date—and by some margin in the case of several cuvées—and when I returned to formally review them in November, those early impressions were if anything strengthened.
These wines set a new benchmark for Santenay, and I couldn't recommend them more warmly.
Drink 2022 - 2042
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (January 2023)
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