Alvina Pernot, Batard Montrachet, Grand Cru, Burgundy, France, 2024

Overview of the Wine
An exciting new arrival on the scene in the Côte de Beaune is Alvina Pernot, granddaughter of Paul Pernot of Domaine Paul Pernot and cousin of Philippe Pernot of Domaine Pernot Belicard. After working for three years at her grandfather's domaine, Alvina and her husband, Philippe Abadie, set up a tiny domaine & maison in Puligny-Montrachet. Alvina and her husband favor earlier-picked fruit and higher-altitude parcels within the large Pernot holdings. Alvina and her husband seem to have a good sense of what they can achieve; and, backed by the Pernot inheritance, they have an enviable canvas of appellations on which to realize it.

Grape / Blend
Chardonnay

Origin
Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France

Tasting Notes
White: subtle differences in the wines signal variations in Climat but they also share many common traits. Their colour is gold flecked with emerald, darkening towards yellow with age. Their bouquet evokes butter and warm croissants, bracken, dried fruit, spices and honey. Body and bouquet are not separately distinguishable, so closely blended are structure and harmony into a single perfect whole. Unctuous and firm, dry and caressing, enveloped and profound, these wines combine every virtue in a firmlyestablished personality.

The power and aromatic persistence of these lofty wines demands aristocratic and sophisticated dishes with complex textures: foie gras, of course, and caviar. Lobster, crawfish, and large wild prawns, with their powerful flavours and firm textures, pay well-deserved homage to the wine and match its opulence. Firm-fleshed white fish such as monkfish would be equally at home in their company. And let us not forget well-bred and well-fattened free-range poultry whose delicate flesh, with the addition of a cream-and-mushroom sauce, will be lapped up in the unctuous and noble texture of this wine. Even a simple piece of veal, fried or in sauce, would be raised to heavenly heights by the Montrachet’s long and subtle acidity.

Serving temperature: 12 to 14°C.

96 Points - Neil Martin
The 2024 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru follows in the footsteps of the knockout 2023. It has a wonderful nose with Granny Smith, freshly sliced pear, dewy meadow and light citrus lemon scents that burst from the glass. The palate is very fresh and focused, with much more intensity than the Bienvenues as it seems to relish the finish. This is such a great Bâtard-Montrachet, possibly underrated by connoisseurs…but not by yours truly.

96 Points - Decanter
A superb wine of impressive depth; substantial yet not heavy. The first impression is one of pronounced aromas of tropical fruit with a floral accent. The wine is full-bodied but deftly balanced by the fresh acidity of the vintage. The wine is given a limpid clarity by the lack of new oak aromas, and just a hint of agreeably bitter ‘beaux amers’ (or pleasant bitterness) on the finish by the firm use of the vertical press.(CC)

Product size: 750ml