FERNAND & LAURENT PILLOT Chassagne-Montrachet

Originally barrel-makers in Chassagne, the family gradually moved into viticulture in the mid-19th century. Fernand was the 4th generation to make wine, and after a period of enlargement which saw the domaine aquire holdings in Santenay, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, St.Aubin, Pommard and Volnay, including the famous estate of Pothier-Rieusset, he passed the estate onto his son Laurent. The domaine practices an evolved form of lutte raisonnée, or reasoned production, which Laurent describes as 80% organic. No chemicals are used, and the estate is a member of the research group Dephy-ECO-phyto. The grapes are hand-picked, and all of the white wines are vinified in barrique. They are characterized by purity, accessibility, fresh fruit flavours and minerality, rather than oak. The reds are succulent, elegant and delicious.