Wine Advisor
Etienne Sauzet, Montrachet Grand Cru 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Sauzet produced two barrels of the 2021 Montrachet Grand Cru from their historic supplier, and it's a full-bodied, ample and satiny wine evocative of pear, orange oil, mint, nutmeg and white flowers. Rich and expansive, it's a broad, fleshy wine that remains true to its origins.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2021 Montrachet Grand Cru has a very attractive bouquet with orchard fruit, orange blossom, honeysuckle and hints of Anjou pear, gently unfolding in the glass. The palate is very well balanced, quite creamy in texture, lots of extract here, a subtle gingerbread note towards the powerful finish…yet I am more bowled over by the Bâtard-Montrachet this year. Two barrels this year.
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.
