Alain inoculates for fermentation and believes in keeping bâtonnage to a minimum. He uses a combination of 400-liter oak puncheons and up to 30% new Burgundian pièce for the premier crus. “We’re looking for a balance between the fruit and oak character,” explains Alain. “We want the wines’ minerality to show through.”

Les Pucelles, whose name means “the maidens,” is one of the very best Puligny premier crus. Pucelles sits between Clavoillons the grand crus of Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues- Bâtard-Montrachet. The soil is like that of Clavoillons and is rich in clay. During replanting in 1992, however, it was found that big limestone blocks lay below the surface.  The wine is close in style to the rich and rounded flavors of Les Clavoillons but with more elegance and complexity.