2020 Criots Batard Montrachet
Buying options
Tasting Notes
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet is the rarest of the Montrachet Grands Crus, at just 1.57 hectares. The soils here are stonier, with a little less clay, producing a more restrained style of Chardonnay. Bichot’s 2020 is a triumph: firm and bright, with plenty of minerality, citrus and light, fresh white fruit notes on the nose. The delicate and elegant palate is both linear and multi-dimensional. Beautiful acidity creates tension on the mid-palate, balancing the concentrated, rich fruit, driving on to the long, narrow finish. There’s more power here than is first apparent, with loads of fleshy white fruit and plenty of muscle. This serious effort from Bichot is proof of the Maison’s ability to produce top Grands Crus.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Neal Martin, Vinous
Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, which comes from purchased must, has an attractive bouquet with pretty white peach, Conference pear and orange pith aromas, fine delineation. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, good weight with a peach, apricot and grapefruit tinged finish. Fine length. Closure: Diam
Powerful lemon yellow. Waxy, rich, just short of volatile, a touch of banana, huge intensity, certainly grand cru, some lemon rind inset in the otherwise ripe fruit, offering several little waves of flavour. This could possibly be fresher but it has its place. Not only long but the finish is properly nuanced. If post-bottling this Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet gains in refinement, as it well may, the score will reach the upper part of the range.
About the producer
Although the Bichot family settled in the region in 1350, Albert Bichot was founded in 1831 by Bernard Bichot. Today the producer is one of Burgundy’s most respected, making wines from both its own vineyards and with purchased fruit.