Vintage Character The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet 'Au Paupillot' was grown in a Burgundy season of summer warmth and drought, with timely rain easing the stress before a healthy September harvest. April frost threatened some vineyards, but delayed budburst reduced losses in parts of the region. For Chardonnay, the year's generous ripeness brings a broad opening without losing a necessary fresh line. Au Paupillot is a small clay-limestone parcel in Puligny, planted in 1990, and the domaine bottles this cuvée only as a magnum. It is a village-level Puligny, with a generous entry and taut finish.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing The estate emphasises a mineral palate, a generous first impression and a finely tense close, at 13% alcohol. In 2022 ripe pear and white peach sit beside lemon zest, while a quiet floral note lifts the nose. The mouthfeel unfolds with breadth at first, then a cleaner line that persists beyond the fruit. Fine lees and subtle oak add depth, and hazelnut and honey come with age. Roast scallops, crab or chicken with herbs complement the wine without burying its freshness. Serve cool but not icy; a broad glass allows the warmer year's fruit to emerge gradually.
Winery Background Génot-Boulanger was founded in Meursault in 1974 by Charles-Henri and Marie Génot-Boulanger, then developed a range of individual Burgundy sites. Aude and Guillaume Lavollée continue the family work, with estate-wide organic certification from the 2018 vintage. Their Au Paupillot Chardonnay comes from a 0.76-hectare parcel, its clay-limestone ground giving the village wine a clear local point of reference. The fruit is hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in oak before maturation in barrel and steel. The magnum-only bottling is a deliberate estate choice for this small cuvée, and the larger format ages more slowly.