Why it matters
The producer
In 1986, Gérard Chavy began estate bottling after previously selling wines to négociants. The Chavy family has lived in Puligny-Montrachet for over 200 years. After Gérard retired in 2005, the estate split into two separate entities between his sons.
Paul Chavy returned to the estate in 2020 after studying winegrowing and oenology. He developed a négoce business that widened the range with Saint-Aubin, Saint-Romain, Corton-Charlemagne, Aloxe-Corton, Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. The family domaine covers approximately seven hectares, including Premier Cru holdings.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Puligny-Montrachet is a Burgundy village known for exceptional white wines. The family domaine is rooted there, while Paul's négoce range reaches additional Burgundy appellations, including Saint-Aubin, Saint-Romain, Corton-Charlemagne, Aloxe-Corton, Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin.
The range therefore includes both white wine and red wine work. Paul's white wines use slow pneumatic pressing and fine lees, while his red wines are fully destemmed and gently pumped over during fermentation.
Wines to know
The range in view
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Sur Gamay is a white wine from Paul's range. It has aromas of ripe and sweet yellow-fleshed fruit, a round and fatty texture, and a lively yet concentrated palate. The wine spends eleven months in barrel followed by seven months in stainless-steel tank, with 15 to 20 percent new barrels.
Across Paul's white wines, very slow pneumatic pressing keeps the best fine lees for ageing. Fine lees are spent yeast cells that can add texture during maturation. His red wines are fully destemmed, undergo cold maceration followed by 17 to 22 days of fermentation with gentle pump-overs, and age for 12 months in 228 litre barrels before tank blending.