Montrachet, Etienne Sauzet 2022

The 2022 Montrachet Grand Cru is habitually never the most expressive at this stage, eventually unfolding with green apples, freshly sliced pear and light flinty aromas. There is something a bit sultry about the aromatics. The palate is well-balanced with a fine bead of acidity, hints of orange pith and tangerine, and very fine depth with exquisite composure towards the finish. Long and sensual, this is a superb "Monty" from winemaker Benoît Riffault. (Drink between 2029-2055)

Here too there is a deft but perceptible application of wood surrounding the beautifully layered nose of spiced tea, white orchard fruit, a variety of floral elements and a touch of wet stone character. The round and lavishly rich imposingly-scaled flavors are incredibly powerful, even breathtakingly so, before culminating in a muscular, compact, austere and massively persistent finish that is borderline tannic. This isn't especially refined yet it is undeniably impressive and a wine that should richly repay extended keeping. (Drink starting 2037)

The 2022 Montrachet Grand Cru is seamless and complete, bursting with aromas of pear, peach and melon mingled with mint, white flowers and freshly baked bread. Full-bodied, ample and satiny, with a layered and enveloping core of fruit, it's an impressive effort produced from purchased must.

A pure clear lemon colour. The extra weight of Montrachet is indeed apparent on the nose. Ripe pears. Perhaps this is a little less in the Sauzet style, not being from their own fruit, but it is impressive. The weight on the palate is profound, with certainly ripe fruit but also a point of minerality right in the middle, and good acidity. Almost a wine to eat rather than drink. It does indeed have the requisite very long finish.