Jean Chartron
Overview
Jean-Michel Chartron runs this historic Puligny estate, which holds a monopole on the premier cru Clos du Cailleret and parcels in other top Puligny premier crus and grand crus. Had approximately 75% of a normal crop in 2024 — better than most.
Appellations
- Puligny-Montrachet
- Rully (“Montmorin”)
Key Wines
- Chevalier-Montrachet “Clos des Chevaliers” (grand cru monopole) — 98 pts in 2023 (VFTC #115); 2030–2075; “pure magic”; one of the greatest wines of the vintage
- Bâtard-Montrachet (grand cru) — 97 pts in 2023; 2031–2075; “brilliant young wine”
- Montrachet (grand cru) — 96 pts in 2023; 2030–2075
- Corton-Charlemagne (grand cru) — 94 pts in 2023; 2030–2065+
- Puligny-Montrachet “Clos des Caillerets” (1er cru monopole) — 95 pts in 2023; 2030–2065+
- Puligny-Montrachet “Clos de la Pucelle” (1er cru) — 94+ pts in 2023; 2030–2060+
- Puligny-Montrachet “Folatières” (1er cru) — 93 pts in 2023; 2028–2050
- Puligny-Montrachet villages — 91+ pts in 2023
- Rully “Montmorin” — 92 pts in 2023
Style Notes
Jean-Michel Chartron produces utterly classical white Burgundy from an exceptionally broad range of terroirs. The style is precise, mineral-driven, and focused — never heavy or obviously oaky, despite the range including grand crus. The Clos des Chevaliers monopole is consistently one of the finest Chevalier-Montrachet bottlings made anywhere. Chartron’s grand crus include Chevalier, Bâtard, and Montrachet — a remarkable trifecta. The Clos des Caillerets rouge is an unusual red Puligny of genuine interest.
Rully Notes (VFTC #116)
Jean-Michel Chartron also produces a Rully “Montmorin,” reviewed in both the 2023 and 2019 vintages:
- Rully “Montmorin” 2023 — bottled before Jan visit; 92 pts; 2025–2040. “Really refined this year.” Wet stone minerality, dried flowers, limepeel, discreet new oak.
- Rully “Montmorin” 2019 — pulled impromptu during January tasting to discuss aging potential; showing complex maturing bouquet; dried pineapple, stony mineral; 90 pts; 2025–2035. “Plenty of life ahead.”
2023 Vintage Notes
Visited January 2025. Harvest started August 31st — one of the earliest in the vintage. By mid-January, several wines were already bottled (Bourgogne, Hautes-Côtes, Rully). Grand crus still in cask. Gilman: “2023 is a flat out great vintage chez Chartron.” Jean-Michel described all wines as “utterly classic expressions of this excellent white wine vintage.”
Top 2023 scores (VFTC #115):
- Chevalier-Montrachet “Clos des Chevaliers”: 98 — 2030–2075 — “pure magic; utterly brilliant on both nose and palate; a beautiful complex foundation of limestone minerality”
- Bâtard-Montrachet: 97 — 2031–2075 — “brilliant young wine; great spine of acidity; very, very long, complex and stunning finish”
- Montrachet: 96 — 2030–2075 — “outstanding young wine; fine girdle of acidity; very long, complex, energetic finish”
- Corton-Charlemagne: 94 — 2030–2065+ — “five casks; impeccably balanced; serious long-distance runner”
- Clos des Caillerets (blanc): 95 — 2030–2065+ — “always just noses out the Clos de la Pucelle; utterly refined; great mineral drive and cut”
- Clos de la Pucelle: 94+ — 2030–2060+ — “one of the finest premier cru bottlings in Puligny”
- Folatières: 93 — 2028–2050; Enseignères: 92; Premier Cru VV blend: 92+; Saint Aubin Murgers: 92+
- Rully “Montmorin”: 92 — 2025–2040 (also covered in VFTC #116)
- Saint Aubin “Héritage Cistercian”: 91+; Pernand-Vergelesses “Belles Filles”: 91; Santenay “Pierres Sèches”: 90; Bourgogne HCdB Blanc: 89; Bourgogne CdO Blanc: 88
- Clos des Caillerets rouge: 92 — 2035–2070 (single cask; rare red Puligny)
2024 Vintage Notes
Visited January 2026. Jean-Michel Chartron: had 75% of normal crop in 2024.
My Tastings
(none yet)
Sources
sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC Jan-Feb 2025 #115.txt(pages 143–148)sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC Jan-Feb 2026 #121.pdfsources/articles/VFTC/VFTC March-April 2025 #116.txt(pp. 20, 37)