A 2006 Puligny-Montrachet Chalumeaux – although from purchased juice – admirably exhibits the diversity and purity of flavors and the balance of opulence and elegance that typify Bouchard’s fine 2006 results. Smelling of green tea, peaches, candied lime zest, and litchi, it leans toward tropical fruits and marzipan on the sleek, subtly creamy palate, and finishes with accents of citrus zest and tea, lush if less refreshing than the corresponding Champ Gain, and capable of similar aging. In keeping with what he says are his usual intuitions, Philippe Prost picked early – bringing in Chardonnay ahead of Pinot Noir for the first time at Bouchard since 1989 – so as to retain freshness as well as what he termed “the sense of minerality in a vintage of very ripe fruit. But in 1989,” he hastens to add, “yields were perhaps overly generous, whereas in 2006 they are quite reasonable.” The results are consistently impressive. New barrels are generally “seasoned” here through use in wines of lesser appellation (other portions of which are frequently raised in tank), as Prost prefers to employ second year barrels for most of his crus. Injections of inert gas at bottling are among the techniques being used to protect the young wines here from oxidation. Importer: Henriot, Inc, New York, NY