Wine Advisor
Fontaine Gagnard, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2011
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 from Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard is a gem. Here we have a killer limestone, stony bouquet that is stoic but utterly captivating, more like a Montrachet in my opinion. The palate is struck through with superb tension and grace, delicate touches of citrus peel, finely poised with an intense and penetrating finish. What a fabulous Bâtard-Montrachet this is from one of Chassagne top-notch growers.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2011 Batard-Montrachet comes across as quite soft in this vintage. Hints of lime, ginger, honey, apricots and white flowers develop as the wine opens up, but I don’t quite see the pure depth or intensity of the very best years. Batard is usually a powerful wine, but there isn't much of that here. I expect the 2011 to offer its best drinking sooner rather than later.
About the Producer
Laurence Gagnard and Richard Fontaine founded the domaine in 1985 with passion and enthusiasm; their daughter Céline joined the estate in 2007. The family has worked in the vineyards for several centuries, and the domaine carries on this legacy - love of the "terroir" and the search for the best possible quality. Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard works on 22 different appellations, including three Grands Crus: Bâtard-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet and the crown jewel, Le Montrachet. The estate covers 12 hectares mainly in Chassagne and the winemaking methods are traditional: hand-picking, settling fermentation using natural yeasts, ageing in oak barrels (0 to 30% new oak, depending on the appellation), fining and light filtration. The white wines are bottled after one year of maturation; red wines stay in the barrel for up to 18 months, depending on the vintage. "Fontaine-Gagnard is a Chassagne domaine that has really upped the ante in recent vintages since Celine Fontaine has taken the reins. This was a splendid showing of wines, one of the most comprehensive in Chassagne" Wine Advocate
