Domaine Etienne Sauzet
Debates raged all week as to whether Puligny or Meursault had won the victor ludorum for 2005. The wines of Domaine Sauzet make a pretty compelling case for the former. This was one of the best tastings at Sauzet that we could remember. The differences between the vineyards were beautifully illustrated and guiding you on which one to buy is a really tough call to make as quite frankly all of them are on top of their game. After the tasting, the Montrachet was still lingering on our palates for the entire journey back to Beaune and well after. Sadly, the allocations are always pitifully small but rewards will be rich for those who snap them up quickly.
All prices are quoted In Bond unless otherwise stated
White Wines
Puligny Montrachet 2006
A complex blend from up to 15 different parcels. A textbook Puligny- elegant, mineral, citric with a suggestion of spice. A lingering finish quite uncommon at village level. Drink from 2008.
Price per case in bond £260 - SOLD OUT
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Perrières 2005
Striking, direct, lovely minerality and drive. This has delicious pure fruit and a sense of vigour. Drink from 2009.
Price per case in bond £450 - SOLD OUT
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet 2005
A small cuvée but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up in quality. This has notes of warm, ripe peach, silky textures, a sense of tension and the elegance of a really top 1er Cru. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £500 - SOLD OUT
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Folatières 2005
Ripe peaches and pear-drops on the nose here, very persistant and lovely balance. Folatières can be a difficult vineyard to tame but Gérard seems to have completely mastered it. Terrific. Drink from 2009.
Price per case in bond £520 - SOLD OUT
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes 2005
A gorgeous wine but not as exuberant perhaps as the Champ Canet. Dense, brooding presence with cloves and spices marking the mid-palate. This is really racy and arguably shows the greatest potential. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £660 - SOLD OUT
Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2005
All smoothness, swagger and style. This is lightly creamy with notes of peach and nectarine and a really defined, sophisticated finish. Drink from 2011.
Price per case in bond £620 per 6 bottles - SOLD OUT
Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2005
Lacks the style and sophistication of the Bienvenues but more than compensates in scale and volume. Ever the punchy powerhouse, this is deeply impressive but not for the faint-hearted. Drink from 2012.
Price per case in bond £635 per 6 bottles - SOLD OUT
Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2005
Simply outstanding, a fresh fruit salad of mirabelle plums and quince with the homely scent of baking brioche intertwined. There are so many dimensions at play here, as the flavours hit and go, resound and reverberate. The complete wine and one that stayed with us all the way back to Beaune. Drink from 2013.
Price per case in bond £790 per 6 bottles - SOLD OUT
Le Montrachet Grand Cru 2005
Simply outstanding, a fresh fruit salad of mirabelle plums and quince with the homely scent of baking brioche intertwined. There are so many dimensions at play here, as the flavours hit and go, resound and reverberate. The complete wine and one that stayed with us all the way back to Beaune. Drink from 2013.
Price per case in bond £1,400 per 6 bottles - SOLD OUT
