The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières from Sylvain Debord is a superb expression of this esteemed Premier Cru terroir, refined, mineral-driven, and deeply layered. In the glass, it shimmers pale gold with green highlights, revealing a nose that is both delicate and complex. Aromas of white peach, citrus blossom, and lemon curd are woven with hints of toasted hazelnut, fresh brioche, and a flinty minerality. On the palate, the wine is precise and elegantly textured, offering a beautiful balance of tension and richness. Ripe stone fruit, tangy lemon, and a touch of almond unfold over a taut acid backbone, leading to a finish that is long, saline, and gracefully persistent.
‘Les Folatières’ is the largest Premier Cru vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet. This plot is the south-eastern neighbour of Le Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru vineyards, and its higher eastern end reaches further up the slopes of Meursault and Saint Aubin. The vineyard, which is east-facing, benefits from gentle morning sun, giving the grapes time to develop complexity, while cooler overnight influences bring balancing acidity. ‘Les Folatières’ originates from a medieval term for the weather phenomenon “St Elmo fire”, it refers to the lights seen in the vineyard from a distance and to this day it is said this light can still be seen occasionally in the vineyard. The vines are grown on a gentle but much eroded slope of chalk and limestone, which absorbs the warmth and reflects it onto the vines, encouraging ripening. The lack of water forces the vine to seek more mineral-laden hydration deeper in the soil.
