About the Producer
Region: Chassagne-Montrachet
Thierry Pillot is the 4th generation to take on the reins of this legendry property founded in 1900. The estate consists of 13 hectares mostly in Chassagne-Montrachet but also in Saint-Aubin and Santenay. Thierry has made a name for himself as one of Burgundy’s most exciting wine makers producing exceptionally pure, terroir driven wines. His focus has always been in the vineyards with a low intervention approach in the cellar. The style is one of tension and energy which he achieves by picking early, minimising oxidation and eschewing the use of new oak. Compared to the stressful 2021 vintage, Thierry reported a decent 2020 crop after a relatively easy
growing season, though it was important to avoid over ripeness by picking quickly, especially the reds. Quality is excellent, particularly the whites which he compared to 2014 but with more texture and minerality.
Tasting Notes
By James Snoxell, Fine Wine Buyer
2020 Thierry Pillot Bourgogne Chardonnay
£95 per 6 bottle case in bond
From parcels in Puligny and Saint-Aubin, this is a very refreshing and persistent Bourgogne Blanc. Thierry makes a number of négociant wines using fruit from trusted growers and this cuvée is always an excellent example. Drink from 2022.
2020 Bourgogne Chardonnay
£100 per 6 bottle case in bond
Very appealing and refreshing, this has a pure bouquet of lemons and green apples. Zesty stone fruits on the palate show lovely tension and drive. This will allow it to age nicely for a few years, though it will be delicious from release. Drink from 2022.
2020 Thierry Pillot Saint-Aubin Le Ban
£135 per 6 bottle case in bond
Produced from 40-year-old vines on clay and limestone soils, this showed very well from barrel. Fresh apple and bright orchard fruits, with a hint of elegant spice, make for a very attractive wine which will be drinking perfectly in a few years. Drink from 2023.
2020 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Charmois
£195 per 6 bottle case in bond
Towards Chassagne-Montrachet, where there is more clay in the soil, aromas of summer meadow flowers lead to a juicy palate with a pithy mineral note adding freshness. A wine with lovely length and energy. Drink from 2023.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet
£215 per 6 bottle case in bond
From three parcels, this appealing Chassagne has a floral bouquet with scents of honeysuckle and flower blossom. Delicate stone fruit flavours lead to an
attractive and refreshing finish. Will be delicious in year or two. Drink from 2023.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Mazures
£230 per 6 bottle case in bond
From a cooler, lower lying terroir which gives freshness, the 2020 has an energetic bouquet with refreshing green plum notes and a hint of green ginger. Very lively and pure fruited on the palate, it shows superb tension and persistence. Drink from 2024.
2020 Thierry Pillot Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseigneres
£275 per 6 bottle case in bond
This has a delightful, clean and precise nose with vibrant citrus fruit and a touch of orange blossom. Crisp lemon and fresh stone fruit characters lead to a long and mineral finish. Drinking from 2024.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint Jean
£325 per 6 bottle case in bond
One of the highest altitude sites in Chassagne, this was delicious from barrel. Elegant and pure, green fruits on the nose lead to an energetic palate with apples and sweet pears and a dash of lime. This shows perfect balance and length. Drink from 2024.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les ChampGains
£330 per 6 bottle case in bond
Champs-Gains’ limestone clay soils impart texture and breadth. A little reticent at present, this has a bright nose with freshly cut green apple scents.
Mouthwatering citrus fruit on the palate and a subtle floral note suggest great potential. Drink from 2024.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets
£495 per 6 bottle case in bond
A parcel with old vines and very little topsoil, it has an expressive bouquet of white stone fruits and bright citrus notes. Broad textured and very fresh on the palate, with plenty of depth, this would benefit from a few years of cellaring. Drink from 2025.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Grandes Ruchottes
£495 per 6 bottle case in bond
Very energetic, yellow flowers and a smoky oyster shell note on the nose lead to a refreshing palate of green plums and limes. A wine with fine mineral depth, this is invigorating and persistent. Shows great potential. Drink from 2025.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Grande
Montagne
£495 per 6 bottle case in bond
From a limestone terroir higher up the slope, there is a lovely sense of underlying tension here. A cool citrusy bouquet, with subtle scents of acacia blossom and a touch of exotic smoke, leads to an intense palate with a pithy mineral texture. Another wine with great potential but it will need a few years to settle. Drink from 2026.
2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée
£595 per 6 bottle case in bond
A wine with incredible length and drive, the 2020 is more expressive than the 2019 was at this stage with rich stone fruit and attractive floral scents on the nose. The palate is wonderfully elegant and reveals fantastic depth and energy. Given time, this will be terrific. Drink from 2026.
2020 Thierry Pillot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
£865 per 6 bottle case in bond
A little reticent at this stage, energetic stone fruit characters and a hint of oyster shell give way to a powerful and refreshing palate. From the cooler Pernand side of Corton-Charlemagne, it has the structure and depth for long ageing. Drink from 2028.
2020 Thierry Pillot Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
£1995 per 6 bottle case in bond
From the Puligny side of Bâtard-Montrachet with 70-year-old vines, this has a beautifully layered and mineral nose leading to an impressively intense and enveloping palate. Captivating and elegant, it shows incredible length. There is a lot more to come here and patience will be required. Drink from 2029.
2020 Bourgogne Rouge
£100 per 6 bottle case in bond
Very appealing and pretty, it has an attractive floral bouquet with notes of violets and wild strawberries. On the palate, succulent red fruits are balanced by smooth tannins. Punching above its weight, it will be perfect from release but will age nicely over the next few years. Drink from 2022.
2020 Santenay Vieilles Vignes
£135 per 6 bottle case in bond
Lying at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay produces supple textured wines with plenty of depth. This Santenay has dark forest fruit aromas with hints of violets and rose petals. The medium bodied palate reveals bilberry and brambly fruits with gentle tannins. Drinking from 2023.
2020 Thierry Pillot Volnay 1er Cru Santenots
£265 per 6 bottle case in bond
This has an expressive bouquet with dark briary fruits and an attractive floral nuisance. Showing generous ripe fruits on the palate and finely balanced tannins, it retains excellent freshness. Will be delicious in a few years. Drinking from 2024.
Burgundy 2020 Enquiry Form
Due to the high quality of the vintage and limited quantities, demand is sure to be very high with some cuvées, especially at Grand Cru level,
available on a strict allocation basis. Get in touch with us via the form below to secure your cases.