Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières

Les Folatières is one of the most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. The Chardonnay wines it produces are generally regarded as some of the finest in Puligny-Montrachet – along with those from Le Cailleret and Les Pucelles, they can occasionally rival those of the region’s Grands Crus.

The 17.6ha vineyard lies along the same strip of the Côte d’Or as the Grand Cru vineyards of Le Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet, although part of the upper section also extends to the cooler, higher part of the slope bordering Champ Gain, which produces lighter wines. Although predominantly rocky limestone marls, the soil of this large vineyard area is fairly heterogeneous, so for an indicator of wine style it is often best to look to the individual producer. Among the best are Domaine d’Auvenay, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Etienne Sauzet.