2017 Bienvenues Batard Montrachet

A ripe and ever-so-mildly exotic nose willingly offers up a hint of honeysuckle on the well-layered nose that combines white orchard fruit with those of spice and floral nuances. There is fine volume to the nicely concentrated flavors that coat the palate with sap on the refined, complex and citrusy finale. This is lovely and is a BBM of finesse.

Charming and expressive, the 2017 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru bursts with aromas of ripe apples, white flowers, vanilla pod and crisp peach. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, pure and elegant with an ample core, understated depth and juicy balancing acids. More elegant and less textural than the Bâtard, this is an open, giving Bienvenues which will give pleasure with only a modicum of bottle age.

(from vines averaging about 30 years of age): Bright yellow. Expressive, nuanced nose combines pear, white flowers, anise, clove and wild herbs. Juicy and a bit clenched today; not a fat or opulent wine and with less buffering mid-palate material it conveys an obvious acid impression in the early going. Finishes distinctly lemony but with sneaky rising length. This wine will need time to expand in bottle.