The Carillon family has been making wine in the village of Puligny-Montrachet since the 16th century, beginning with Jehan Carillon, who was a vintner in Puligny in 1520. After completing his studies at the winemaking school in Beaune, France, Jacques Carillon joined his father in the family vineyard in 1980. His specializations include winemaking and marketing.
In 2010, Jacques and his wife Sylvia founded the Jacques Carillon vineyard with 5.25 hectares of vines, primarily in the village of Puligny-Montrachet. As ever, Jacques’ Puligny, a benchmark for the appellation, comes from seven parcels. Three sit by the southern border with Chassagne, one near the village itself, and three to the north by Meursault. Fermented and aged in 15% new oak for the first year, followed by 6 months in a tank to marry the different parcels and tighten the wine up over winter, the recipe remains unchanged and so does the result.
Smoky notes of rosemary oil, white orchard fruit and citrus give way to attractively textured medium weight flavors that, like the Puligny, are not especially dense though they are more generously proportioned on the lingering finale. I like the balance and if this can add depth with a few years of keeping, it might surprise to the upside.