2016 Domaine Étienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts 1er Cru

Bright light yellow. Aromas of yellow peach, smoke and hazelnut convey a leesy complexity. Displays yellower flavors than the 2017 version yet retains a light touch, thanks to its sound acidity. In a rather masculine style, finishing long and quite dry, with dusty tannins, repeating nutty notes and a note of mineral austerity. Assistant winemaker Riffault considers Referts to be a terroir for cellaring, noting that this wine always has good tartaric acidity and needs some time to demonstrate sex appeal.

Light nose. Sleek and neat – bit of a civil servant of a wine; does not set the heart racing. Bit stodgy and chewy on the end. (JR)

The 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1e Cru Les Referts has a tightly wound, more tertiary bouquet than the Hameau de Blagny. It gradually opens and offers scents of cold steel and flint scents, distant and a bit aloof. The palate is very refined with a keen thread of acidity, nicely focused with a saline, quite precise finish that lingers in the mouth. This is another fine premier cru from Sauzet that should age with style and may end up at the top of my banded score.