This domaine is always a favorite here at K&L. With his restrained use of oak and attention to detail Pernot crafts wine of precision, depth and elegance. When tasting these wines you can see why this vintage is so acclaimed: beautiful fruit, concentration and plenty of acidity to keep everything in check.
The 2005 Pernot Bourgogne Blanc ($18.99) offers generous fruit, generous mouth feel and generous acidity. This wine is a real charmer and over delivers for its price point (it’s made with fruit sourced from near the Puligny and Meursault border). The 2005 Pernot Puligny-Montrachet ($39.99) shows more depth and structure underneath beautiful chardonnay fruit. Ripe stone fruit with mint, flowers, nuts and a hint of minerality, it is wonderfully balanced. Drink this tonight with an hour’s decanting or cellar over the medium term. The 2005 Pernot Puligny-Montrachet, “Folatieres,” 1er Cru ($62.99) is more focused and more reserved, with a stony minerality that sings through the wine’s spicy, floral, mint tones. The ripe fruit gives the impression of juiciness but acidity and minerality bring your focus back to the complex core. The 2005 Pernot Puligny-Montrachet, “Pucelles,” 1er Cru ($89.99) is the Folatieres taken to the next level. The power and richness of this wine almost gives it an oily impression. The is a little more apparent oak here with hints of spice and smoke, but there is so much fruit that it does not come across as oaky. Stone fruits, flowers and plenty of minerality dance on the palate with vibrant acidity. Dazzlingly complex and well worth the price of admission!
—Kirk Walker