1995 Domaine Étienne Sauzet Montrachet Grand Cru

A stunning wine, the Montrachet (only the third vintage produced at Sauzet) offers formidable waves of spicy, ripe, concentrated fruit aromas. On the palate, an awesome, nearly overpowering explosion of hugely extracted, roasted and toasted fruits guided by impressive balancing acidity is mind-boggling. Made from low yields (20 hectoliters/hectare), this full-bodied, super-delineated wine has great length. Hold it for 7 years, and drink it over the next 10-12. The wine was bottled three days prior to my visit. This note is the result of tastings I did in Burgundy between January 7 and January 29. An asterisk indicates that the wine was produced from vineyards owned by this domaine. No asterisk indicates that the wine was produced from purchased fruit, must, or wine. Boudot believes that what characterizes his lower and medium level wines in the 1995 vintage is abundant concentrated, dry extract fruit - without great balancing acid...I agree. He is extremely excited about the '96s, saying they "exhibit phenomenally concentrated fruit and great balancing acid. " Importer: Vineyard Brands, Chester, VT; tel (802) 875-2139.