Wine Advisor
Etienne Sauzet, Montrachet Grand Cru 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Montrachet Grand Cru, from purchased grapes originating from the Chassagne side, has a straightforward, well-defined bouquet that, to be honest, does not quite match up to the Chevalier or Bâtard-Montrachet. The palate is very well balanced and intense, with a slightly honeyed texture. There is a touch of ginger toward the finish of orange zest, tangerine and citrus peel, fanning out as a Montrachet ought to. But my money is still on the Bâtard-Montrachet representing Sauzet’s best Grand Cru.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Produced from purchased grapes, the 2018 Montrachet Grand Cru was showing brilliantly, soaring from the glass with aromas of vine blossom, pear, golden orchard fruit and warm bread. Full-bodied, multidimensional and layered, it's concentrated and complete, with a sumptuous core of concentrated fruit and a precise, elegantly fragrant finish.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Montrachet Grand Cru, from purchased grapes originating from the Chassagne side, has a straightforward, well-defined bouquet that, to be honest, does not quite match up to the Chevalier or Bâtard-Montrachet. The palate is very well balanced and intense, with a slightly honeyed texture. There is a touch of ginger toward the finish of orange zest, tangerine and citrus peel, fanning out as a Montrachet ought to. But my money is still on the Bâtard-Montrachet representing Sauzet’s best Grand Cru.
About the Producer
Etienne Sauzet is an estate based in Puligny-Montrachet, making some of the most sought-after Chardonnay wines in Burgundy. Sauzet's wines are prized for their elegance at village level and for their extra weight and concentration at Premier and Grand Cru level. The portfolio includes leading examples of Chevalier-Montrachet, Le Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Champs Gain. The domaine is made up of 15 hectares (37 ac) of estate vineyards split between the communes of Puligny-Montrachet, Cormot-le-Grand and Chassagne-Montrachet with small amounts of fruit externally sourced. The grapes are fermented in oak and aged in barrel for around a year – premier crus see up to 33-percent new oak, while grand crus get 40-percent. After barrel aging, the wines are racked into tanks for another six months on lees. Etienne Sauzet was established at the forefront of Puligny-Montrachet production by Etienne Sauzet himself (1903-1975). His 12 hectare (30 ac) estate was taken over by his son-in-law Gérard Boudot, although in 1991 Boudot's cousin Jean-Marc Boillot took out his share of vineyards, requiring Boudot and his family to make additional acquisitions to bring the property back to its current size.
