Bâtard Montrachet 2017

Olivier Leflaive


Bâtard Montrachet sits on flat portion of the hillside evenly dispersed between the villages of Puligny and Chassagne. Bordered by Bienvenues-Bâtard and Criots-Bâtard on either side and it’s most famous sibling Le Montrachet a stones throw up the hill Bâtard is known for it’s majestic, powerful and age worthy wines.

Terroir: The Olivier Leflaive Bâtard Montrachet is sourced from 4 separate suppliers two from the Puligny side and two from the Chassagne side. Vines are densely planted and vines average older than 45 years.

Vinification: Grapes are sorted, pressed and vinified entirely in Allier oak barrel, 30% of which is new. The wine is aged in the cellars for 12 months where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and sees frequent stirring of the lees. Following the aging process each barrel is racked and the final blending occurs.

Additional Information

Wine of powerful and generous character. The nose has notes of lemon but also notes of butter and vanilla. The palate is taut with acidity. The wine is fat with maturity and fills the mouth with flavor. It needs an hour or two to breath upon opening.

Technical Details

  • Appellation: Bâtard-Montrachet
  • Winemaker: Franck Grux
  • Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
  • Soil: Calcareous
  • Vineyard Acreage: 11.73ha total
  • Alcohol: 12%
  • Sizes Available: 750ml
  • Pack Size: 6/750ml
  • Varietals: 100% Chardonnay

Recent Press

  • Score: 95 Points

    Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
    Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2020
    "Apricot, citronella, butter and seashore flavors make this seamless white compelling. As much about the texture as the flavors, with the creaminess meshing nicely with the lively acidity and lingering, pastry-filled aftertaste. Drink now through 2029. 20 cases imported."
  • Score: 93 Points

    The Wine Advocate Author: William Kelley
    Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2019
    "The 2017 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru opens in the glass with a youthfully reserved but nicely integrated bouquet of citrus oil, crisp yellow orchard fruit, ripe peaches, toasted nuts and smoke. On the palate, it's full-bodied, broad and powerful, with a deep core, succulent acids and a layered, muscular profile, concluding with a long and expansive finish. While it needs a couple of years in the cellar, I suspect this will offer a broad drinking window. Though it's bigger than some of Leflaive's 2017 premiers crus, I don't think it dominates them in terms of quality."
  • Score: 97 Points

    Wine Enthusiast Author: Roger Voss
    Date: Friday, November 8, 2019
    "A blend from four parcels in this famed grand cru, this wine offers a panoply of ripe fruit as well as a dense structure. Acidity comes from the wood aging as well as the fruit to balance this intense wine. It will certainly age, so drink from 2023."
    Grade: Cellar Selection

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