Jean-Louis Chavy and Paul Chavy

Whilst Chavys have been living in Puligny-Montrachet for over 200 years it was not until 1986 that Gerard Chavy started to estate bottle his own wine (previously the wines were sold to negociants).

The estate of Gerard Chavy was split into 2 separate estates by his sons, Jean-Louis Chavy, and Alain Chavy following the Gerard’s retirement in 2005. We import the wines from Jean-Louis who works from his immaculate temperature controlled winery adjacent to his house at the eastern end of the village proper. Jean-Louis’ son Paul has been working with his father for the last few years and has begun his own range of wines (both red and white) from purchased fruit, thus far from Saint-Romain, Aloxe-Corton and Gevrey-Chambertin.

Vinification is classic with whole bunch pressing and 24 hours of settling with temperature control and only natural yeasts used for fermentation. Jean-Louis has not used any bâtonnage on any cuvées for some years now. The average age of vines at this estate is impressive with most vineyards now aged between 30 and 50 years old, with some of the oldest vines in Folatières and Clavoillons planted in 1952.

For the elevage of the wines the use of new oak is restrained with the village Puligny seeing only 15 % new oak and the 1er Crus just 25 %. Recent years have seen a move towards 350 litre barrels for ageing to have less oak influence. There are no Grand Cru vineyards among Jean-Louis’ holdings, however his 1er Crus are located very close to some of the best vineyards in the heart of Puligny.

Terroir speaks clearly at this estate with the wines essentially being made in similar fashion allowing the differences in soil and exposure to speak in each wine. Jean-Louis’ wines are effortless and unforced showing fine fruit purity and crystal clear terroir definition for each 1er Cru. Now with Paul working full time at the estate, the extra pair of hands in the vineyard and the cellar shows in even greater precision and clarity with each wine. These are wines of classic style that age and develop gracefully. Quantities are always very limited and these wines sell out very quickly on arrival.

2022 Bourgogne Blanc
From vines bordering on to Puligny AC vineyards. Shows wonderful perfume and depth for this level. Aged 3/4 in barrel (none new) and 1/4 in stainless steel. This wine shows great aromas and very clear fruit expression and offers a lot of pleasure from an early age. This is an outstanding value and a great introduction to the spotlessly pure wines of Jean-Louis Chavy.

2022 Puligny Montrachet
From ten small parcels of 20-60 year old vines. Les Tremblot, (‘more Puligny in character, as the soil is argileous’, says Jean-Louis); Les Meix, Les Levrons (more rounded wine for there are more stones and gravel here and it is not so heavy), Corvée des Vignes and Les Reuchaux. These small vineyard holdings are all just below the Premier Crus close to the village and cover the diversity of Puligny from north to south. Just 20 % new oak for this wine which always shows excellent balance and drinking pleasure from an early age.

2022 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières
From 0.51 ha of vines in 2 separate plots planted 1993 and 1965, one in the steepest stoniest part close to Blagny which contributes excellent acidity and structure, the other part is from lower down where the soil is richer and this part gives greater richness and depth to the wine. This shows wonderful intensity and generosity.

‘Fine bright pale straw with a very good weight of fruit, more fruit than floral on the nose. This stretches out beautifully across the palate, white fruit along with a hint of Mirabelle, acidity present but folded into the fruit, very good persistence. Shows real old vine intensity and depth and very complete even at this early stage.’

2022 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières
From 0.146 ha of vines planted in 1986 which were purchased by Jean-Louis. The 2022 vintage of this wine is showing particularly well and very complete.

‘Has a lifted mineral nose with subtle scents of honeysuckle and almond, certainly endowed with the vigour one expects from this vineyard. The palate is fine, harmonious and svelte on the entry. This is a Perrieres demonstrating typical fine mineral nuance, though it needs more time to develop and show its best.’

2022 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gains
50+ year-old vines. This 1er Cru is located high on the slope, just above Folatieres. Jean-Louis describes this wine as always showing very well from a young age.

‘Fresh, bright orchard aromas; as always quite floral and high toned. Bright citric fruit on the palate with lively acid structure and excellent length. More discrete and tightly woven than the 2 above 1er cru’s, but with excellent potential as the structure and balance are impressive. Very promising.’

2022 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillons
Only 2 families have ownership in this tiny 5.5855 ha vineyard, Chavy family have 0.7895 ha and the rest belonging to the various branches of the illustrious Leflaive family (replanting their plot in 1970s). Here Jean-Louis has 0.32 ha of vines planted in 1952 just below Folatieres. Premier Cru Clavoillons lies right in the middle of the Puligny Appellation between Perrières to the north and Les Pucelles bordering on the south side. This ideal site gives a roundness and generosity compared to higher sites like Folatières which is just above on a slightly steeper slope.

‘There is a lovely density to the aromas and to the core of this wine. The palate is lively and the minerality zesty, which lightens the concentrated character. Bright, citrus fruits linger on the finish.’

Paul Chavy

Jean-Louis’ son Paul returned to the family estate in 2020 after studying winegrowing and oenology and gaining some valuable professional experiences. Paul has a new and prestigious négoce business for the estate to to be able to offer a wider range of wines and to enable Paul to gain experience working with different terroirs and villages and crus.

For the white wines Paul uses very long slow pressing in a pneumatic press keeping the best fine lees and ageing in 350 litre barrels (using a mix of cooperages) for 11 months. Wines are then racked to tank for 6 or 7 months before bottling with no a light filtration and fining only if necessary.

Red wines are all 100 % de-stemmed with a very cool 5-7 days maceration in stainless steel then 17-22 days of maceration in fermentation with no punching down and just gentle pump overs once a day. Ageing for 12 months in 228 litre barrels before transferring to stainless steel tank for blending for 6-7 months before bottling with no fining and a light filtration

2022 Saint Romain Blanc La Perriere
From a cooler north-east facing site in La Perriere which is on the left hand side before driving into the village from Meursault and then Auxey-Duresses. Very limestone terroir giving freshness and minerality to this cuvee. The vineyard is located almost right on the border of Auxey-Duresses and just a few minutes drive from Meursault. This wine is 100 % aged in barrel with just 15 % new oak and all barrels being 350 litre with a mix of coopers including the new tiny cooperage of Eric Millard which is very highly regarded. Shows wonderful perfume and depth for this level. An excellent addition to the range, from this very fresh and mineral village, and an outstanding value and a great introduction to the spotlessly pure wines of Paul Chavy.
Juicy, lightly rounded up-front, and lime-fresh. Straight and vibrant. Finishes with lime flower. Sarah Marsh MW

2022 Saint Aubin 1er cru Sur Gamay - due March
This beautifully sited premier cru lies just above La Chateniere and also adjoins Les Murgers des Dents de Chien on one side and Les Champlots on the other side. Rarely seen yet perfectly positioned quite high on the slpe full south facing giving both good exposition and ripeness together with very good minerality and detail from the higher site. Shows lovely lift and perfume with very attractive floral high tones on the aromas. Very good freshness and precision with excellent depth and intensity. The full package which proves why Saint Aubins top premier cru sites are becoming so popular - it delivers on every level - ripeness, detail, minerality and refreshing enlivening acidity.

2022 Pernand Vergelesses 1er cru en Caradeux - due March
This premier cru is located just a stones throw from the Grand cru Corton Charlemagne lieu dit En Charlemagne. Just 3 barrels made (1 new barrel) this shows the lively nerve coming from the limestone soils which are also rich in iron giving giving good intensity and ample depth with fine oak integration. Long fine and persistent.

2022 Corton Charlemagne Grand cru - due March
Coming from 50% En Charlemagne west-facing in Pernand Vergelessesand 50% from Le Charlemagne which adjoins with a south facing exposition in Aloxe Corton. Just 2 barrels made with just one new oak barrel.

2022 Aloxe Corton rouge
100 % de-stemmed fruit given a cold maceration for several days before fermentation on skins for 22 days with only a gentle daily pump-over (no hand plunging). Aged on fine lees in barrel, all 228 litre barrels for the red wines, for 12 months before blending back in tank and bottled un-fined after a very light filtration. Shows good depth of black berry fruit, with good concentration and silky, indulgent tannins.
Dark, juicy forest fruits. Chunky, thick tannins, with an robust character. Honest. Great BBQ wine. Sarah Marsh MW

2022 Gevrey Chambertin
100 % de-stemmed fruit given a cold maceration for several days before fermentation on skins for 27 days with only a gentle daily pump-over (no hand plunging). Aged on fine lees in barrel, all 228 litre barrels for the red wines, for 12 months before blending back in tank and bottled un-fined after a very light filtration. Deep vibrant colour and rich and generous on the palate with fine firm tannins and excellent ageing potential. A rich deep Gevrey with excellent generosity and depth with good potential for further ageing.

2022 Nuits St Georges 1er cru Damodes - due March
One of the very best sited premier cur vineyards in Nuits St Georges adjoining Vosne Romanee aux Malconsorts.