Benoit Ente

History of Domaine Benoit Ente

The history of Domaine Benoit Ente is intimately linked to that of the Ente family, rooted in the terroir of Puligny-Montrachet for several generations. It all began in the post-war period, when Benoit's grandfather, a true pioneer, undertook the replanting of neglected plots on prestigious terroirs such as Folatières En la Richarde and Clos de la Truffière. This work of reconstruction, often carried out through massale selection, laid the foundations of an exceptional estate.

In 1990, Benoit Ente joined his aunt to work on the family estate, which was then dedicated to selling grapes to Beaune négociants. In 1997, he decided to strike out on his own, farming 2.5 hectares of the estate's 5.5 hectares. Despite a difficult first vintage in 1998, marked by frost and hail, Benoit persevered, guided by a clear vision: to bring out the full potential of each plot. In 2013, when his aunt retired, Benoit took over all of the vines, bringing the estate to approximately 6 hectares. Since then, he has continually refined his style, drawing inspiration in particular from his brother Arnaud, an emblematic figure in Meursault, to produce wines of remarkable precision and purity. Today, Domaine Benoit Ente is an essential reference for lovers of great Burgundy wines, with a confidential production of only 12,000 bottles per year.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Benoit Ente

Domaine Benoit Ente spans a mosaic of some twenty plots, principally in Puligny-Montrachet, with one plot in Chassagne-Montrachet. These terroirs, largely inherited from Benoit's grandparents, benefit from exceptional geological richness, with limestone and clay-limestone soils that impart a mineral and vibrant signature to the wines. The vines, with an average age of over 50 years, are deeply rooted, capturing the essence of the soils at altitudes ranging between 277 and 326 metres.

The estate cultivates three grape varieties: Chardonnay, which dominates white wine production, Aligoté, for the Antichtone cuvée, and Pinot Noir, for the Mathilde cuvée. The planting density, ranging between 10,000 and 11,000 vines per hectare, promotes optimal concentration of the grapes. The viticultural practices, such as simple Guyot, Guyot Poussard and Cordon de Royat pruning, are adapted to each grape variety and plot in order to limit yields and ensure uniform ripeness. Committed to sustainable viticulture, Benoit bans herbicides and chemical fertilisers, favouring meticulous soil cultivation to preserve microbial life and the resilience of the vines in the face of climatic hazards.

Iconic plots such as Clos de la Truffière, a one-hectare Premier Cru resting on stratified limestone bedrock, and Folatières En la Richarde, a parcel representing 4% of the Folatières appellation, embody the quintessence of Puligny-Montrachet terroirs. These named plots, combined with rigorous plot-by-plot management, allow the estate to produce wines of unique intensity and complexity.

Winemaking at Domaine Benoit Ente

Winemaking at Domaine Benoit Ente is an exercise in precision and balance, aimed at bringing out the purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir. Each cuvée is vinified over 18 months, with an approach that combines tradition and innovation. The grapes, harvested by hand and transported in small perforated crates to preserve their integrity, undergo slow and delicate pressing, extracting structured juices while retaining a lively acidity.

During the first 12 months, the wines are aged partly in wood (Stockinger foudres and 228-litre barrels) and partly in tanks, with increasing use of wineglobes — glass vessels that preserve aromatic clarity without the influence of wood. During the final 6 months, wines from the same appellation are blended in stainless steel tanks to refine their structure and clarify the juices without filtration, ensuring an authentic expression of the terroir.

Since the 2003 vintage, Benoit Ente has made a stylistic shift, moving away from richness and power in favour of wines that are tauter, fresher and more mineral. This approach, guided by a keen observation of climatic changes and the needs of the vine, allows him to produce wines of rare elegance, capable of ageing harmoniously for decades.

The Cuvées of Domaine Benoit Ente

Domaine Benoit Ente offers a range of exceptional cuvées, each reflecting the diversity and richness of its terroirs. Here is an overview of the main cuvées:

Antichtone (Bourgogne Aligoté) 

Sourced from three Aligoté plots planted in 1949, 1953 and 2002, this cuvée redefines the standards of the appellation. Trained in Cordon de Royat to control yields, it offers a complex bouquet combining linden blossom, mint, lemongrass and iodine notes, with a full, energetic and saline palate. An Aligoté of rare sophistication, perfect with seafood or a fricassee of frogs' legs.

Burgundy 

This cuvée blends Chardonnays from clonal selections, offering an accessible yet refined introduction to the estate's style. With its aromas of fresh fruit and chiselled minerality, it embodies Burgundian elegance at an approachable price.

Golden Jubilee 

Celebrating the estate's oldest Chardonnay plot, planted by massale selection and marking its fiftieth anniversary in 2011, this cuvée captivates with its concentration and depth. Its notes of ripe fruit and silky texture make it an exceptional wine for connoisseurs.

Mathilde 

The estate's sole Pinot Noir cuvée, named after Benoit's eldest daughter, Mathilde offers an elegant expression of the grape variety, with aromas of ripe red fruits, fine tannins and a balanced structure. A rare find to discover for lovers of red Burgundy wines.

Puligny-Montrachet 

A blend of five plots with vines of approximately 50 years of age, this cuvée embodies the pure and mineral style of Puligny. Its aromas of citrus fruit and white flowers, along with its vibrant tension, make it an ideal choice to accompany refined dishes.

Nexe Flore 

Sourced from a plot planted in 1943, just below the Premiers Crus, this rare cuvée is vinified exclusively under glass. It captivates with its aromatic purity and brilliant minerality, offering a unique experience for lovers of great white wines.

Chassagne-Montrachet 

Converted to Chardonnay in 2005, this plot borders Puligny-Montrachet and yields a wine of great finesse, with notes of fresh fruit and well-integrated acidity. A gem for Chassagne enthusiasts.

Clos de la Truffière (Premier Cru) 

The pride of the estate, this one-hectare plot rests on a stratified limestone soil. Its wines, powerful and structured, reveal an intense minerality and exceptional length, ideal for long ageing.

Folatières En la Richarde (Premier Cru) 

Located on the border of the Grands Crus, this exceptional plot produces a wine of remarkable density and elegance. With its notes of flint, violet and citrus fruit, it embodies the pinnacle of Benoit Ente's expertise.

Domaine Benoit Ente is an essential destination for lovers of Burgundy wines seeking to purchase exceptional cuvées. With production limited to 12,000 bottles per year, each wine is an invitation to discover the quintessence of the terroirs of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. Through sustainable viticulture, precise winemaking and an unwavering passion for the vine, Benoit Ente crafts wines of rare purity and elegance, prized by connoisseurs the world over. Explore our selection and take advantage of the best prices to acquire these Burgundian treasures!