Wine Advisor
Fontaine Gagnard, Criots Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2023
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2023 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru takes time to unfurl touches of walnut and smoke infusing its citrus fruit notes in the glass. The palate is well balanced, very smooth and slightly creamy in texture with discrete hints of praline and white chocolate. This lingers long in the mouth. It's a beautifully crafted Criots, though I prefer the 2022 at this stage.
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
