2015 Les Cailles Chardonnay Reserve

If you remember the story of “Never Say Never” and the adventure that produced 2010 L’Age D’Or Chardonnay, we made reference to another wine called Les Cailles. From a small section of the vineyard we fermented the grapes Sur Lie in Ermitage Cigar Barrels and Puncheon for 30 months.

Having white Burgundies as benchmarks, especially the wines of Raveneau, Jobard, and Colin, we were never too anxious to even attempt to craft Chardonnay in the new world as we have always felt that the wines were overly extracted, with a buttery popcorn extract, and so much toasted oak/vanilla, high alcohol and just over the top, in short, nothing of any resemblance whatsoever to an elegant, mineral, white Burgundy -- they seem more like a martini than a Chardonnay.
 

Tasting Notes:

Le Regard / The Look
Crystalline purity of a Citrine gemstone, with golden depth of straw, highlighted by mineral suspension. 

Le Nez / The Nose
A surprising width of aroma of some weight spills out of the glass, with depth of crystallized fruit. As the wine shades its chill and opens up, yellow floral components emerge: Mirabelle plums, lemon, acacia, elderflower, and alpine wet stone envelop your senses with rich and voluminous scents. Les Cailles’ nose delivers outstanding intensity and detail, very Puligny.

Degustation / The Taste
The sensual and round front palate is very focused and creamy; Acidulated baked tart apple, quince, white peach and lemon curd, white pepper, dill, perfectly interlaced with white flowers and salty minerals. As the wine opens up, the middle palate is deliciously floral, fine-boned and textural, with creamy layers of marzipan, white amaro, toasted sourdough bread and stone fruits. The unctuous and fine tannin texture is a clear result of extended aging in the Cigar barrels. The wine transitions seamlessly to a perfectly balanced long finish accented by a citrus peel, spicy dill and flinty acidity infused with salty minerality, creating an impressive wine showing great poise, brilliance, complexity and length. Les Cailles Reserve…Puligny West…Soliste.