Francois Carillon Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Macherelles 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. The Francois Carillon winery was founded in 2010, but its traditions actually date back to the 16th century, when the Carillon family already had a presence in the region. The estate extends across approximately 15 hectares of vineyards, spread across the Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Saint-Aubin appellations, where Chardonnay is the sole grape variety. The Chardonnay grapes are selected from 15-year-old vines in the Premier Cru Les Macherelles vineyard, located north of the village near Puligny-Montrachet, on clay-limestone soil, in a terroir very similar to that of Les Perrières. After manual harvesting, the wine ferments in French oak barrels (about 20% new), then ages for about 12 months before being transferred to tanks for 7 months. In the glass, the wine reveals an intense, rich aromatic profile with notes of baked apple, yellow fruit, lemon peel, and subtle hints of spice and minerality. On the palate, it is generous, yet vibrant and taut, with a soft, smooth texture. It has distinctive acidity and a touch of salinity. It is fresh, elegant, and characterful, with a long finish that blends notes of candied lemon peel and mineral touches. Try it with shellfish, sushi, or chicken in lemon sauce.