2010 Puligny Montrachet Les Combettes
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Readers looking for a Carillon 2010 to drink young should check out the 2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes. It is one of the more immediate wines in this lineup. The textural finesse that is the hallmark of the 2010s in this cellar is present, but I don’t find quite the complexity or pure pedigree of the best wines here. The direct, powerful finish is one of many things that make the Combettes delicious right now. Anticipated maturity: 2012+. These 2010s are the first wines Francois Carillon has made from start to finish on his own. Based on the wines I tasted, it looks like Francois’s wines are a little silkier than his brother Jacques’s wines. I also tasted the 2011s, which are shaping up beautifully. As of 2011, the range will include two new premier crus from Chassagne-Montrachet: Clos St. Jean and Chenevottes, great news for fans of this ‘new’ domaine. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Puligny-Montrachet Combettes, from a lower-altitude parcel, shows considerable power and richness. Succulent layers of fruit wrap around a powerful, insistent finish supported by vibrant, saline notes that confer exuberance. This is first-class all the way. Anticipated maturity: 2016+. The 2010s are the first wines Francois Carillon has vinified on his own following the division of the family estate, Louis Carillon. I was very impressed with what I tasted, but, and perhaps even more importantly, deeply struck by the attention to detail, especially in the vineyards. All of the 2010s had completed their malos when I visited in late June, 2011 except for the Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, which was impossible to read. Readers should note that there are two labels for the 2009s; Francois Carillon and Jacques Carillon. The brothers have divided the finished, bottled wines of that year and are each selling their respective portions of those wines. The wines in bottle are identical. For ease of reference I have duplicated the entries in our database so notes for the 2009s appear for both producers. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
The 2010 Puligny-Montrachet Combettes, from a lower-altitude parcel, shows considerable power and richness. Succulent layers of fruit wrap around a powerful, insistent finish supported by vibrant, saline notes that confer exuberance. This is first-class all the way. Anticipated maturity: 2016+. Aug 2011, www.robertparker.com