2010 Etienne Sauzet, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 1x750ml

Robert Parker 88

The 2010 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet is a big, powerful wine. Today the Bienvenues is unusually hard and unexpressive relative to the other wines I tasted from this site while preparing this article. The aromas and flavors are totally mute, while the overall impression is of compactness and austerity. The fleeting finish is totally devoid of fruit. This is another totally perplexing wine. Anticipated maturity: 2014+. I have to admit I was a bit perplexed by these 2010s from Sauzet. A number of wines were massively reduced and/or heavily sulfured to a degree I did not encounter at any other property I visited. The best selections in the lineup are quite strong, which suggests some of those elements may dissipate over time as the wines integrate, but at the same time, I can only report what is in the glass, and the reality is that some of the wines in this lineup are very awkward at this stage. I suggest readers taste the Sauzet 2010s before making any major commitments. The 2010 harvest started on September 17th. Yields were closer to normal in the village wines, but down by as much as 35% in the premier and grand crus. The wines spent 12 months in oak, 25-35% new for the premier crus, and 35% new for the grand crus, followed by six months in tank. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802 [Antonio Galloni, 31/08/2012]

Anticipated maturity: 2014-0

Vinous 92+

Pale, green-tinged straw-yellow. Closed, ripe nose hints at citrus peel and honey; smells like small golden grapes. Rich, dense and tactile but at the same time chiseled and delicate; a very feminine style of grand cru. Quite dry and less showy today than the Combettes but explosive on the back half, displaying a distinctive saline character. Hard to judge today and in need of patience. [Stephen Tanzer, 09/01/2012]