Region: Burgundy, France

Vintage: 2022

Composition: 100% Chardonnay

History: This domaine dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when Etienne Sauzet inherited and bought several vine plots 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 on to their daughter Emilie and her husband, Benoît Riffault, who continue to produce white wines among Burgundy’s most sought-after. 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 the appellation. Round, almondy fruit with a little bit more oak than 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.