Ballot Millot’s roots in Burgundy are seriously deep: they began amassing vineyards back in the 17th century. The Domaine has been one to watch ever since Charles Ballot took over in 2001. When Ballot took over, he began reducing yields, improving farming practices, and updating equipment. The level of quality rose dramatically.
Stylistically, Ballot Millot falls between the reductive style of Coche and Roulot and the voluptuous, oily style of old-school Meursault producers. Ballot’s wines have undeniable energy and detail, without sacrificing richness.
Perrières is a Premier Cru vineyard at the southern end of Meursault, considered by many to be the commune's best, and second in the Côte de Beaune only to the various Montrachet Grand Crus. Floral and rich, the Chardonnay wines display vibrant, honeyed characters with more than a little minerality.
As in many of Meursault's top vineyards, this site is fragmented into several lieux-dits: an upper site, Perrières Dessus, the adjacent Aux Perrières, and a lower site, Perrières Dessous. These names seldom if ever appear on labels. However, the Clos des Perrières is a walled enclave within Perrières Dessous which has its own premier Cru status.
A subdued if not mute nose only grudgingly offers up notes of softwood, matchstick, wet stone, and citrus peel. There is excellent underlying tension to the powerful and concentrated yet refined flavours that are also gorgeously textured while culminating in a very dry, refreshing, and markedly stony finale that flirts with austerity. This perfumed and classy effort is also quite tightly wound at present and will need extended patience. This too is terrific.