WTN: Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet "Les Perrieres" 2000

Displaying a slightly advanced but stunning glowing yellow gold colour, this very fine Chardonnay delivers the goods with a heavenly bouquet filled with a multitude of integrated aromas that include grilled cashews, gorgeously-judged creamy oak, dried figs, overripe green melons, yellow peaches, marzipan and hints of whipped butter and butterscotch. The merest whiff of acetone barely detracts, but in conjunction with the deep colour suggests, either, this wine has not been stored brilliantly or is suffering from a mild dose of premox. In the mouth an abundance of similarly-etched fruit and subservient oak provide the necessary substance and balance for an impressive front line backed by a classy structural platform of controlled minerally acidity and a soft creamy mouthfilling texture. As the wine breathed out and warmed in the glass I detected better focus and delineation with sweeter stonefruits permeating longer on a distinguished and moderately long departure with just the right amount of grip to provide a lovely touch of counterbalance. 91 points and a drink soonish proposition. 13/5%A/V and cork-sealed.

While I generally enjoy Chassagne over Puligny, your well-written and detailed note make me want to go out and buy a btl to see if I can taste the same individual flavors you did. Thank you for the post.

While I generally enjoy Chassagne over Puligny, your well-written and detailed note make me want to go out and buy a btl to see if I can taste the same individual flavors you did. Thank you for the post.

Just to let you know another experienced taster responded to my TN and confirms my suspicions about premature aging by stating his "last bottle was nothing like this". I'll try another bottle and see what's going on with this one.

15/6/08

The folks came over after church this morning, just as I was doing some prep on a variety of chicken thigh combination dishes and decided to accept my invite to stay for lunch. I opened another bottle of the above to make the planned comparison. Wow! Much more youthful colour and an entirely different aromatic and flavour profile. The wine seems years younger with a more tighter personality and way less oxidative characters in every department. A truly Outstanding "young" White Burgundy. 94 points and drink now to 2015!

David,

I have had bad luck (premox) with 1998 Carillon Perrieres. I haven't had the 2000 but I like the Champs Canets and the Referts. I stopped buying and aging all White Burgs and these days I'm drinking them young. It's good that you enjoyed that second bottle but waiting till 2015 to drink is imho playing with fire. Drink soon.

David,

I have had bad luck (premox) with 1998 Carillon Perrieres. I haven't had the 2000 but I like the Champs Canets and the Referts. I stopped buying and aging all White Burgs and these days I'm drinking them young. It's good that you enjoyed that second bottle but waiting till 2015 to drink is imho playing with fire. Drink soon.

Having drunk another few bottles since this post, Jacques, I am now a supporter of your recommendation. Gawd I hate corks (and the pox's that go with them)!