94–96 Points — Heiner Lobenberg
Old-Vine Chablis with Richness, Flint and Saline Minerality
Patrick Piuze's 2025 Chablis Premier Cru Butteaux comes from 75-year-old Chardonnay vines rooted in the classic Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils of Chablis. Located on the Left Bank of the Serein, Butteaux forms part of the greater Montmains Premier Cru and is known for producing wines with impressive depth, mineral intensity and a distinctive combination of richness and freshness.
Butteaux sits at the southwestern end of Montmains in a small side valley. Compared with some neighboring Premier Cru sites, its greater clay component gives the wine additional breadth and texture, while the limestone-rich terroir contributes the flinty, chalky and saline character that defines great Chablis.
The early 2025 vintage delivered beautifully ripe fruit while retaining the firm mineral structure and freshness of the region. Patrick Piuze's preference for relatively early harvesting further emphasizes precision and energy, resulting in a Premier Cru that combines generosity with unmistakable Chablis tension.
Tasting Notes
Rich, concentrated and intensely mineral, the 2025 Butteaux opens with layers of citrus, ripe orchard fruit and subtle nutty notes, followed by smoke, crushed stone and pronounced flinty character. The palate has excellent depth and texture from the clay-rich soils, balanced by vibrant acidity and a persistent saline edge. Powerful yet precise, with impressive concentration and a long, mineral-driven finish.
94–96 Points — Heiner Lobenberg
Lobenberg highlights the wine's smoky, nutty and intensely flinty personality, along with its substantial mineral character, salinity and richness. He considers Butteaux one of the particularly exciting, lesser-known Premier Cru sites of Chablis.
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Chablis
Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru
Vineyard: Butteaux
Vintage: 2025
Producer: Patrick Piuze
Vine Age: Approximately 75 years
Soil: Kimmeridgian limestone and clay
Farming: Sustainable
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation
Élevage: Approximately 10 months in used oak barrels
Bottle Size: 750ml
About Butteaux Premier Cru
Butteaux is a distinct climat within the larger Montmains Premier Cru on the Left Bank of the Serein River. Its limestone and clay soils give the wines a compelling combination of structure, richness and minerality. Butteaux is generally fuller and broader than nearby Forêts, yet it retains the smoky, flinty and saline character associated with this section of Chablis. Its relatively small production makes vineyard-designated examples particularly sought after by Chablis enthusiasts.
About Patrick Piuze
Canadian-born Patrick Piuze has established himself as one of Chablis' most distinctive producers, focusing on wines that clearly express the differences between individual vineyards and terroirs. Working closely with a network of growers, Piuze sources fruit from carefully selected parcels throughout Chablis and harvests his grapes by hand—a notable commitment in a region where machine harvesting is common.
In the cellar, Piuze favors a traditional, low-intervention approach. Fermentations occur spontaneously, and his Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines are fermented and aged for approximately ten months in seasoned barrels rather than new oak. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, allowing the character of each vineyard to remain at the forefront.
Food Pairing
An outstanding partner for oysters, lobster, crab, scallops, grilled prawns, Dover sole, roasted or grilled fish, sushi and sashimi, roast chicken and creamy seafood dishes. Its greater richness also makes it particularly successful with butter or cream-based sauces and lightly aged cheeses.
Cellaring
The combination of old vines, concentration, acidity and pronounced mineral structure gives this Premier Cru excellent aging potential. Lobenberg suggests a drinking window of approximately 2028–2045, although it should be beautifully expressive in its youth for those who enjoy powerful, mineral-driven Chablis.
Patrick Piuze Chablis Premier Cru Butteaux 2025
Chablis, Burgundy, France
100% Chardonnay · 750ml
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