2016 Batard Montrachet

The 2016 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, from vines planted in 1950, was reduced to a single barrel this year, although Vincent Morey admitted that he was surprised to get anything at all from the vineyard. It has quite a rich bouquet because of the influence of the new wood, although there is sufficient fruit to back that up, and it remains well defined. The palate is rounded on the entry with tangerine and dried apricot notes, a fine bead of acidity, if missing some length similar to many white Burgundies this vintage.

(just one barrel produced vs. a normal two): Bright, light yellow. Yellow fruit aromas are complicated by spicy oak, musky lees, herbs and a truffley nuance. Offers decent texture and richness but only moderate intensity; more saline than sweet. Finishes slightly dry-edged. This was 12.5% potential alcohol chaptalized to 13.5%; Morey noted that he harvested his Bâtard fruit in 2015 at 13.7%.