2012 Batard Montrachet
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Tasting notes
Pale yellow. Tangy aromas of ripe peach, ginger, clove and smoky minerality. Youthfully austere today, but showing lovely cut and finesse to the flavors of citrus fruit, crushed stone and flowers. With its penetrating acidity and outstanding density of texture, this extremely backward grand cru is almost bitter now and should be slow to unfold. Colin noted that his Batard vines did not suffer during hot, dry weather in August.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru might turn out to be Pierre-Yves Colin’s finest achievement in 2012 – including the Chevalier-Montrachet. It already offers a very expressive and lively bouquet with ebullient aniseed scents soaring from the glass, all with super delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, vibrant with hints of lemongrass and ginger. This Batard is very intense and concentrated for what is habitually a reticent Grand Cru in its youth, while the finish soars away. This is a grand cru revving up on the starting line. Climb on board. Readers should check out my video taken with Pierre-Yves onwww.erobertparker.com, where he discusses his impression of the 2012 vintage. He is the prime example of a vigneron that might not possess his own vines, yet creates wines that surpass many of those who do. The bottom line is that volume was approximately 40% to 50% down compared to 2011 (apart from St. Aubin that was only 20% to 25% down.) Pierre-Yves explained that his 2012s displayed much higher acid levels compared to 2011 and opined that they will be shy at the beginning. He expressed the importance of not wishing to “push” the wines, so that he could stay true to what he feels is a more classic vintage in the mold of 2007 and 2010. Tasting through the complete set of 2012s, Pierre-Yves clearly had a firm grasp on the vintage and his wines were (again) a cut above the rest, from his generic white Burgundy to his clutch of grand crus. Importer: A Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; also imported by Bertin Henri Selections, 10900 N.W. 21st Street, Unit 180, Doral, Florida 33172 tel: (305) 343-4054
(Colin told me that these grapes from the lower section of the Puligny side of the appellation were the ripest in 2012 at just under 13% at harvest, along with the Chassagne-Montrachet Ancegnieres; cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare): Bright pale yellow. Musky, almost gamey aromas of ginger, minerals and crushed stone. Then tactile and superconcentrated, with terrific cut to the mineral and lichee flavors. Sweet but very closed today, finishing with outstanding chewiness of texture and superb lift and length. This very backward wine really saturates the mouth.
The 2012 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru might turn out to be Pierre-Yves Colin’s finest achievement in 2012 – including the Chevalier-Montrachet. It already offers a very expressive and lively bouquet with ebullient aniseed scents soaring from the glass, all with super delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, vibrant with hints of lemongrass and ginger. This Batard is very intense and concentrated for what is habitually a reticent Grand Cru in its youth, while the finish soars away. This is a grand cru revving up on the starting line. Climb on board. ||Readers should check out my video taken with Pierre-Yves onwww.erobertparker.com, where he discusses his impression of the 2012 vintage. He is the prime example of a vigneron that might not possess his own vines, yet creates wines that surpass many of those who do. The bottom line is that volume was approximately 40% to 50% down compared to 2011 (apart from St. Aubin that was only 20% to 25% down.) Pierre-Yves explained that his 2012s displayed much higher acid levels compared to 2011 and opined that they will be shy at the beginning. He expressed the importance of not wishing to “push” the wines, so that he could stay true to what he feels is a more classic vintage in the mold of 2007 and 2010. Tasting through the complete set of 2012s, Pierre-Yves clearly had a firm grasp on the vintage and his wines were (again) a cut above the rest, from his generic white Burgundy to his clutch of grand crus. eRobertParker.com.December, 2013
About the producer
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey (known by many as PYCM) is a négociant and domaine that has become one of the most popular white wine producers in Burgundy – with a prolific number of cuvées from the top Grands and Premiers Crus vineyards in the Côte de Beaune.