Region: Burgundy, France

Vintage: 2020

Composition: 100% Chardonnay

History: The history of this domaine dates to the beginning of the 20th century, when Etienne Sauzet inherited and bought several plots of vines in the village of Puligny-Montrachet. The vines passed through the family to Jeanine Boillot, Sauzet’s granddaughter. Jeanine and her husband, Gérard Boudot, managed the domaine, making many modernizations including improved vinification techniques and biodynamic farming. Today the domaine has been passed to their daughter Emilie and her husband, Benoît Riffault, who continue to produce white wines that are among the most sought-after in all of Burgundy. Although the winemaking techniques have been modernized, M. Sauzet’s traditions of estate-bottling and of aging the wines on their lees for 10-12 months to “nourish them” are still respected and result in superbly finished, fruity, and full-bodied wines. After four generations, Sauzet is still synonymous with high-quality, elegant, Burgundian Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes:

Clear in color already. A lovely elegant nose, quite classy for appellation. Round, almondy fruit with a little bit more oak then usual for Bourgogne Blanc since it was 100% barrel fermented due to the small crop rather than the normal 50%. This has good balance, with lemon/lime, cream and some anise on the finish.