2020 Patrick Piuze, Chablis Premier Cru, Butteaux

Patrick Piuze's commitment to terroir transparency is evident in his 2020 Chablis Premier Cru Butteaux, crafted from hand-harvested fruit of 75-year-old vines within Chablis' historical core. Employing a vertical press and fermenting in used barrels sourced exclusively from high-acid vintages, Piuze ensures a minimalist cellar approach that directly articulates the site's unique character. The Butteaux climat, located on the Serein's left bank with a south/southeast exposure, is defined by its compact Kimmeridgian limestone and substantial blue clay soils, typically yielding wines of notable richness and power. Despite a warm and dry 2020 growing season that brought an early budbreak, the vintage paradoxically delivered a "tremendous tartaric acid profile" as early summer heat slowed ripening, resulting in a Chablis with pronounced acidity, significant textural density, and a linear, saline structural core.