2010 Batard Montrachet

The 2010 Batard-Montrachet is simply fabulous. Honey, butter, spices and hazelnuts add complexity to the fruit as this dramatic Burgundy opens up in the glass. The Batard is sweet, voluptuous and very, very pretty. In 2010, Moreau had enough fruit for just one barrel, so the wine was aged in 100% new oak for 12 months followed by neutral oak for 6 months. The Batard is a striking wine in every way. It will be even better once the new oak integrates a little more. Anticipated maturity: 2015+. Domaine Bernard Moreau is quite possibly the single finest under the radar grower in Burgundy today. There are many more famous names in the Cote de Beaune, some of them in Chassagne itself, but it is here, in this small, family run domaine where many of the most elegant and harmonious wines of the village are found. Bernard Moreau’s son, Alex, told me yields were down from 10% for the villages to as much as 50% for the Grand Ruchottes. Moreau brought in his fruit starting on September 20th and reported a high incidence of shot berries and berries with very little juice. The wines spent 12 months in oak, with no racking, and were then moved into oak with their fine lees for another six months. Reliance on natural yeasts and a cold cellar ensure a gradual elevage that is one of the reasons these wines remain so vibrant and full of life. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 603-1461