Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2015
Domaine Faiveley
“The story goes that when the Lord of Puligny had to share out his lands between his children, he gave his legitimate son the plot which was to become the ‘Chevalier-Montrachet’ and his illegitimate son, three plots named ‘Bâtard-Montrachet’, ‘Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet’ and’ Criot-Bâtard-Montrachet’. As for his daughters, they were to receive a plot named ‘Les Pucelles’ (The Maidens).”
Domaine Faiveley combines the principles of modern winemaking methods with the time honored traditions that have been practiced for centuries within their 19th century cellars. Each terroir and each vintage, benefits from special attention which makes the cuvées unique. Each bottle therefore becomes the faithful reflection of its terroir.
Terroir: One of the most famous, most powerful and most luxurious of all white wines; the Grand Cru of Bâtard Montrachet sits majestically above 1er Cru vineyards of Puligny Montrachet directly below Le Montrachet. The 1.2 acre plot owned by Domaine Faiveley sits in the upper portion of the vineyards north section just above Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. These easterly facing vines were planted as far back as 1966 and sit in heavy soils of clay and white marl.
Vinification: Grapes are hand harvested and sorted upon arrival at the domaine. The grapes are cold fermented entirely in oak prior to aging in the cellars for 14-16 months in a combination of new and used oak. New barrels represent approximately 70% of the selection.
Additional Information
Pale, clear yellow color and an elegant yet powerful nose combining white and yellow fruits, white flowers (acacia and orange blossom) and freshly baked brioche. The palate is delicate yet distinctive and characterised by aromas of stewed fruits and candied lemon. The finish is fresh and lively with exceptional length.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Bâtard-Montrachet
- Winemaker: Jerome Flous
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: White Marl, Clay
- Vineyard Acreage: .5ha
- Avg Vine Age: Date to 1966
- Alcohol: Under 14%
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Recent Press
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Score: 93 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: William Kelley
Date: Friday, April 27, 2018"The 2015 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru from Faiveley's own holdings opens in the glass with notes of green orchard fruit, lime, pastry cream and vanilla pod, lavishly framed by new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, glossy and concentrated, with chewy extract and a deep, layered mid-palate, its acids bright and succulent and its finish long. While I'd have appreciated a less overt application of new oak, the wine's substance is as impressive as its equilibrium, so there's much to admire here." -
Score: 92 Points
Vinous Author: Stephen Tanzer
Date: Friday, October 13, 2017Pale, bright yellow. Yellow fruits and spices on the nose. A step up in ripeness, richness and sweetness from the more laidback Bienvenues-Btard, this mouthfilling grand cru captures the sheer volume of the vintage. Plush, smooth orchard and stone fruit flavors display a bit of alcoholic warmth but are given definition by underlying minerality. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and considerable length. This Btard will need a few years to burn off some of its baby fat. -
Burghound Author: Allen Meadows
Date: Friday, June 30, 2017(from Puligny fruit). This too is sufficiently reduced to render an evaluation of the nose impossible. There is more volume still to the concentrated, thick and opulent flavors that are borderline massive, all wrapped in a sappy and overtly powerful finish. As the description suggests this is a big wine but I prefer the relatively more elegant presentation of the Bienvenues-Btard Montrachet. Moreover I would not be inclined to age this for more than a few years as it risks becoming heavy.Grade: 90-92 Points - Vinous Author: Stephen Tanzer
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2017Pale greenish-yellow color. Precise aromas of yellow fruits, spearmint and white flowers, with nicely integrated oak tones. Broader and more powerful in the mouth than the Bienvenues, showing better integration of oak. The yellow fruit flavors carry through to a more phenolic, distinctly tongue-dusting finish. Some unabsorbed CO2 gives this wine a firm edge. (The young Corton-Charlemagne, from fruit picked at the end of the harvest, boasts terrific depth of flavor and mineral richness but was hard to taste owing to its remaining malic acidity.)Grade: 91-94 Points
