Domaine Alain Chavy

Domaine Alain Chavy produces some of Puligny-Montrachet's most mineral and saline Chardonnays from ten hectares of premier cru parcels. Alain Chavy established his domaine in 2003 after splitting from the family operation, inheriting vineyards planted as far back as the 1950s—including the celebrated 'Les Clavoillons'—and building a reputation for wines that balance citrus intensity with a particular salinity and power. His winery houses the deepest underground cellar in the village, at 5.5 metres. Domaine Alain Chavy wines are aged in French oak, mostly traditional methods, and fermented with indigenous yeasts; they deserve shelf space if you're serious about white Burgundy that tastes of stone, lemon and restraint rather than butter alone.

About Domaine Alain Chavy

The Chavy family has farmed Puligny-Montrachet since the 1970s. Alain and his brother divided the domaine in 2003, and Alain has spent two decades refining his ten-hectare holding, which includes some of the village's most prestigious premier cru sites. Several parcels were planted by his family in the 1950s and 1960s; 'Les Clavoillons', for instance, benefits from limestone soils planted in that era. The limestone terroir is shallow and stony across his holdings—particularly at 'Les Champs Gains', where the soil runs just 20cm deep—which contributes the distinctive mineral salinity Chavy has become known for. He works with his son Corentin, and both practice careful fruit sorting and whole-bunch pressing followed by long oak maturation with indigenous yeast fermentation. The 5.5-metre cellar is a practical asset for temperature stability during the long élevage.

Domaine Alain Chavy Wines in Our Collection

Start with the 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Les Charmes (91 points, £73.15)—a gentler entry point with vibrant grapefruit and lemon on the nose and precise acidity on the finish. Move to the premier crus if you want more complexity: the 2023 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gains (92 points, £92.90) offers peach and brioche with mineral freshness and full body, while the 2023 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières (92 points, £102) and 2023 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Clavoillons (92 points, £99.40) both show the same consistency and depth. The 2022 vintage of Les Champs Gains (92 points, £95.70) is also available and shows similar minerality with notes of ripe lemon and precise acidity.

Food Pairing

Serve Les Charmes alongside seafood platters, roasted halibut, or oysters. The premier crus—Les Champs Gains, Les Clavoillons, Les Folatières—match creamy chicken dishes, butter-poached lobster, and soft cheeses such as Époisses or Taleggio. The salinity and mineral edge also cuts through richer textures; try them with scallops or crab.

Who makes Domaine Alain Chavy wines?

Alain Chavy, who founded the domaine in 2003 after splitting from the family operation, works alongside his son Corentin. They farm ten hectares of premier cru parcels in Puligny-Montrachet, including vines planted in the 1950s.

What style are these wines?

100% Chardonnay, aged in French oak with indigenous yeast fermentation. Mineral, saline, and precise, with vibrant citrus and lemon notes. Typical scores: 90–92 points. Known for balance of power and elegance rather than oak-driven richness.

What's the price range?

Village Puligny-Montrachet (Les Charmes) starts at £73. Premier cru bottlings (Les Champs Gains, Les Clavoillons, Les Folatières) range from £93 to £102 per bottle.