The 2023 Domaine Jacques Carillon Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is an exceptionally scarce 100% Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, representing the pinnacle of this historic family domaine. The Carillon family’s winegrowing roots stretch back to 1520, and Jacques continues that heritage with an emphasis on finesse, mineral expression and balance. His Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet comes from a tiny approximately 0.12-hectare parcel of vines more than 50 years old, whose small berries contribute concentration despite the limited vineyard area. This combination of old vines, a prestigious Grand Cru site and a remarkably small holding makes it a particularly compelling bottle for collectors of fine white Burgundy.
The 2023 reveals pear, orange oil, honeysuckle, citrus confit, white flowers and delicate spice, with a rich, satiny texture and substantial underlying power. William Kelley of The Wine Advocate awarded it 93–95 Points in his January 2025 assessment, highlighting its ample, muscular palate and layered fruit. Neal Martin’s subsequent bottled-wine assessment awarded 92+ Points, noting green apple, pear, flinty aromatics and a keen line of acidity, with a suggested drinking window of 2028–2045. Together, these assessments point to a Grand Cru Chardonnay that combines generous texture with freshness and definition, while benefiting from further time in bottle.
