PRE-ARRIVAL 2023 Fontaine-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 750Ml Bottle

These grapes come exclusively from 3 parcels combining .33 ha with the earliest vines planted in 1960. The FG Batard is not usually as minerally as the Criots, but is richer and "fatter". For some reason this year the oak shows a little more here than the Criots (I guess the percentages of new oak are not always exactly the same as the wine volume changes each year and the barrels are fixed sizes. It has lovely tightness and drive.

'A markedly smoky and floral-suffused nose exhibits very pretty, and quite spicy, aromas of various white orchard fruit, especially white peach, that are trimmed in enough wood influence to merit pointing out. There is excellent size, weight and volume to the overtly powerful big-bodied flavors that display outstanding persistence on the balanced, serious, compact and built-to-age finale. This is a terrific Bâtard with the development potential to match.' 95 points - Allen Meadows, Burghound

'The 2023 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is more austere than the Criots. Despite rigorous coaxing, a light marine element surfaces with time. The palate is well balanced, quite intense and fresh, with intriguing hints of red fruit on the finish. Once in bottle, this will be fascinating to monitor. This is a Grand Cru that deserves cellaring.' 94-96 points - Neal Martin, Vinous