Critic ratings
vinous
2017
Rating:
92
–92
The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has an intense nose that sports a very small reduction, but there is plenty of fruit here, as well as impressive tension. The palate is balanced with crisp acidity, a bit "spiky" compared to Sauzet's Combettes and without quite the same persistence on the finish, but at least there is an appealing spiciness. This needs to settle down. Like Carillon's other 2017s, it is not showing its best now but should improve. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.
vinous
2018
Rating:
92
–92
The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru is very austere and Zen-like on the nose - you would think this comes from a much cooler season. The palate is conversely effervescent on the entry with tangy orange peel and a touch of mandarin. More saline towards the finish with a fine twist of sour lemon that lingers on the aftertaste. This is the pick of François Carillon’s 2018s at the Burgfest tasting. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting.
robert_parker
2018
Rating:
91
–93
Carillon began his harvest with the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes, an expressive wine that offers up aromas of orange oil, ripe pears, nutmeg and honeycomb. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and fragrant, with good energy and a muscular core of fruit. This has also turned out well.
robert_parker
2017
Rating:
92
–94
The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes unwinds in the glass with aromas of pastry cream, crisp orchard fruit, honeycomb and white flowers. On the palate, it's full-bodied, broad shouldered and powerful, with a dense, blocky profile that is classic Combettes. When I tasted it, the wine was quite reserved and less advanced in its élevage than most of Carillon's other cuvées, but its potential is clearly considerable.
robert_parker
2010
Rating:
90
–93
The 2010 Puligny-Montrachet Combettes, from a lower-altitude parcel, shows considerable power and richness. Succulent layers of fruit wrap around a powerful, insistent finish supported by vibrant, saline notes that confer exuberance. This is first-class all the way. Anticipated maturity: 2016+.
The 2010s are the first wines Francois Carillon has vinified on his own following the division of the family estate, Louis Carillon. I was very impressed with what I tasted, but, and perhaps even more importantly, deeply struck by the attention to detail, especially in the vineyards. All of the 2010s had completed their malos when I visited in late June, 2011 except for the Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, which was impossible to read. Readers should note that there are two labels for the 2009s; Francois Carillon and Jacques Carillon. The brothers have divided the finished, bottled wines of that year and are each selling their respective portions of those wines. The wines in bottle are identical. For ease of reference I have duplicated the entries in our database so notes for the 2009s appear for both producers.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
robert_parker
2010
Rating:
91
–91
Readers looking for a Carillon 2010 to drink young should check out the 2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes. It is one of the more immediate wines in this lineup. The textural finesse that is the hallmark of the 2010s in this cellar is present, but I don’t find quite the complexity or pure pedigree of the best wines here. The direct, powerful finish is one of many things that make the Combettes delicious right now. Anticipated maturity: 2012+.
These 2010s are the first wines Francois Carillon has made from start to finish on his own. Based on the wines I tasted, it looks like Francois’s wines are a little silkier than his brother Jacques’s wines. I also tasted the 2011s, which are shaping up beautifully. As of 2011, the range will include two new premier crus from Chassagne-Montrachet: Clos St. Jean and Chenevottes, great news for fans of this ‘new’ domaine.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
91
–93
The 2013 Puligny-Montrachet les Combettes 1er Cru is, like François’s other Puligny premier crus, backward and stony on the nose – classic Puligny in many ways. The palate has a little more concentration on the entry compared to the Folatieres, gradually building in the mouth toward a lovely sour lemon finish. Excellent.