Wine Advisor
Jean Noel Gagnard, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 1995
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani
The Batard Montrachet displays a very deep and enticingly sultry nose of sweet roasted fruits. On the palate, red fruits such as currants and wild raspberries are exhibited in this rich, full-bodied, extremely spicy wine. Possessing excellent length, this is the finest bottle of wine I have tasted from this domaine. This note is the result of tastings I did in Burgundy between January 7 and January 29. Ratings with a range of scores in parentheses indicate the wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. Importer: Classic Wine Imports, Boston, MA; tel (617) 731-6644.
About the Producer
Caroline Lestimé took over from her father, Jean-Noël, in 1989, though Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard still retains his name. The estate’s modern reputation has very much been built by Caroline, who has made it her responsibility to develop the many expressions of Chassagne Montrachet terroirs across her range. There are 12 different Premiers Crus to choose from; some now carry their own identity, having previously been offered under the larger Morgeot appellation. She has bought more land in Chassagne when available and affordable, and there’s a very well-situated white wine vineyard in the Hautes-Côtes, sold under the L’Estimée brand. Some very attractive reds from Chassagne round off the range. The vineyards are all organic, now certified; Caroline plans to put that status on her labels from the 2019 vintage. In the winery A little perspective is always an asset with Caroline’s wines: it’s not her style to manipulate or force, and any perception of dumbness is always mitigated once in bottle. Caroline is always very attuned to her wines’ progress during élevage.
