Domaine Paul Pillot

Domaine Paul Pillot is a leading Burgundy estate based in Chassagne-Montrachet. It produces restrained, minerally rich wines made from Chardonnay as well as several wines from Pinot Noir. The estate was founded in 1900 by former barrel maker Jean-Baptiste Pillot and expanded by his sons. Since 1968, his grandson Paul Pillot has run it, and today, it is now run by Paul's children, Thierry and Chrystelle who took control in 2004.

There are 13 hectares (32 acres) of vineyards, mostly planted with Chardonnay. The vineyard holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet include several premier crus, led by the La Romanée. Paul Pillot also has plots in two Saint-Aubin Premier Cru vineyards and in Santenay, and makes Bourgogne Aligote and Bourgogne Blanc.

The fermentation process is conducted with wild yeasts and after, the lees are not allowed to settle before the wine is placed in the barrel, which is said to contribute to the to the silkiness of the final wines. Domaine Paul Pillot uses minimal amounts of new oak—around 20 percent for most of the white Premier Crus. These wines are extremely terroir-transparent and show a great deal of precision and minerality.