2008 Domaine Étienne Sauzet Montrachet Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Montrachet Grand Cru courtesy of Etienne Sauzet is thankfully showing no signs of premature oxidation that some bottles have been afflicted with. Yeah, just a touch of VA here but powerful and intense with almost menthol-like aromas on the nose (a trait noted by Stephen Tanzer back in 2010). The palate is not as refined as the 2008 Montrachet from Ramonet although it is feisty and lively, almost petrol-like towards the finish that miraculously manages to uphold fine delineation. This is a Montrachet that might lack grace but has real chutzpah. Tasted at the La Paulée in Beaune.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow-straw. Reticent nose hints at mirabelle, menthol, truffle and spices; a bit exotic for this grand cru. Surprisingly sweet in the mouth, but also impressively dense and rich if a bit youthfully compact. Like the Batard, this really saturates the palate today. Finishes tactile and long, with notes of citrus peel, menthol and spices. But today this wine displays less minerality than the Chevalier or Batard.
Pale yellow. Crystallized lemon peel, white flowers and menthol on the nose; less pristine today than the Batard. Then rich, silky and dense on the palate, but in a less delicate style than the 2007 despite possessing strong acidity. Seems a bit less pure than the Batard, but this is richer at 14%. Perhaps best today on the long, mounting finish. This too will need time to reveal its underlying personality. (As usual, the Chevalier-Montrachet was aging in another cellar.)