Wine Advisor
Etienne Sauzet, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 2002
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani
Boasting a nose of a salty, buttery brioche, the light to medium-bodied 2002 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatieres is a well-focused, tightly wound wine. Spiced minerals and hints of pear can be found in its pure, detailed personality. Projected maturity: now-2010. “I have only good things to say about 2002. It is the fourth in a series of good vintages, starting with the 1999s. There was no rot, great maturity, and excellent balance to add backbone,” said Gerard Boudot, Sauzet’s winemaker. He went on to add, “2002 is a very good vintage. Some people compare it to 1996, but those were much more austere wines. Some people speak of 1992, but it is livelier. Maybe it reminds me of 1985.” Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
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.
