I love this time of year. With the holidays upon us, I constantly hear our guests asking for that special wine for their boss, best friend, loved one or even himself/herself. When the request is for a really nice Chardonnay I have an easy answer: white Burgundy.

Traveling through France last month we were able to visit a number of small domaines in Burgundy. One of the most impressive visits was to Domaine Paul Pillot in Chassagne-Montrachet. This domaine has long been considered one of Chassagne's top properties, but since Paul's son Thierry took over as winemaker, it has moved to an even higher level.

Thierry with his sister Crystal   

Thierry's careful work in the vineyard has paid big dividends. The emphasis in Thierry's style is on vibrancy, minerality and length. New oak is used sparingly, a huge plus for my palate.

Paul Pillot's wines have been receiving outstanding scores from many of the top wine publications in the U.S. including the Wine Spectator. Look for the 2008 Paul Pillot Chassagne Montrachet at a store near you.

--Paul Quaglini, Wine Supervisor, SE Florida