Henri Boillot – 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de La Mouchère 1er Cru

Henri Boillot – 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de La Mouchère 1er Cru.

A monumental yet impeccably refined Puligny-Montrachet that unites power, depth, and mineral precision with remarkable ease. Clos de La Mouchère is one of the Côte de Beaune’s most celebrated white wine vineyards, and as a true monopole, it allows Henri Boillot complete and uncompromised expression of site. In 2018, this singular terroir delivers a wine of Grand Cru stature—expansive, layered, and profoundly age-worthy.

About the Winery

Domaine Henri Boillot stands among Burgundy’s elite white wine producers, revered for his mastery in Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, and Volnay. Building on the foundation laid by his father, Jean Boillot, Henri has refined the domaine’s style toward one of precision, balance, and controlled intensity.

Viticulture is exacting, with a relentless focus on vine health, low yields, and optimal physiological ripeness. In the cellar, Boillot is known for his intuitive handling of fermentations and élevage, employing new oak judiciously to frame the wine without dominating it. His whites are defined by their ability to combine textural generosity with tension and clarity, resulting in wines that are both immediately compelling and built for long-term evolution.

Clos de La Mouchère sits at the pinnacle of the domaine’s portfolio and is widely regarded as one of the finest white wines produced in Puligny-Montrachet.

About the Vineyard

Clos de La Mouchère is a historic monopole Premier Cru, entirely owned and farmed by the Boillot family—a rare and invaluable asset in Burgundy. Located just above Les Perrières at the border of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, the vineyard enjoys a unique position that blends the structural tension of Puligny with the breadth and textural richness more often associated with Meursault.

The east to southeast-facing slope ensures consistent ripening, while the thin limestone soils over marl provide both concentration and a pronounced mineral spine. Old vines, many over 50 years of age, contribute depth, complexity, and natural balance.

Though officially classified as Premier Cru, Clos de La Mouchère is frequently described as “Grand Cru in all but name,” a reputation it consistently upholds in the glass.

About the Wine

The warm and generous 2018 vintage is expertly harnessed in this wine, with richness kept firmly in check by site and precision winemaking.

In the glass, the wine displays a radiant golden hue with green highlights. The nose is deep and multi-layered, unfolding with ripe lemon, yellow apple, and pear, followed by white peach, acacia, almond, and subtle hazelnut. With air, complex notes of crushed limestone, flint, and lightly toasted brioche emerge, adding gravitas and dimension.

On the palate, the wine is powerful yet impeccably proportioned. A broad, creamy mid-palate is seamlessly balanced by vibrant acidity and a firm mineral backbone. Orchard fruit, citrus oil, and subtle savory notes interlock with a saline edge that brings drive and freshness. The finish is exceptionally long, resonant, and authoritative, echoing limestone, citrus zest, and refined oak spice.

This is a wine that already impresses with sufficient aeration, yet it is clearly built for long-term cellaring and will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 20 years or more.

Food Pairing

This Puligny-Montrachet calls for dishes of equal refinement and depth. Ideal pairings include roasted turbot with beurre blanc, lobster with light shellfish reduction, or Bresse chicken with morels and cream. For a more minimalist approach, it shines alongside simply grilled scallops or aged Comté, allowing the wine’s mineral precision to take center stage.

Conclusion

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de La Mouchère 1er Cru from Henri Boillot is a profound, terroir-driven white Burgundy that fully justifies its legendary status. The monopole nature of the vineyard, combined with Boillot’s masterful touch, results in a wine of rare authority, clarity, and elegance.

We award this wine a 97-point DWA score—a truly exceptional Puligny-Montrachet and one of the great white wines of the vintage.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Domaine Henri Boillot is imported in the Netherlands by Wijnkooperij de Lange.

Taste Date:     January 2026

Website:         Domaine Henri Boillot