2016 Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine Bachelet-Monnot

Protected by the wall in the top part. They have made 2.5 barrels instead of 3. Fine concentrated pale colour, the nose is currently a bit blitzed by the sulphur. Still some primary fermentation aromatics. Also on the palate, with a little lemon and orange blossom touch. Stretches out lengthily across the palate, even before the finish. Hard to get the detail yet but there is clearly a great deal to it. Dense but not heavy.

The 2016 Batard Montrachet Grand Cru was touched by the frost and reduced by 25% in quantity, not as acute as others because they believe the vines were offered protection by the stone wall at the bottom of Montrachet. That equates to a barrel and a half, and it was still in barrel with racking due when I dropped by. It has a lively and generous aniseed- tinged bouquet that opens superbly with aeration. The palate is quite rich on the entry with a slightly honeyed texture. It is marked by a fine thread of acidity, just a dab of ginger and spice toward the finish that bristles with energy, furnished with a long and pure spicy aftertaste that leaves the mouth tingling. This is an excellent Bâtard-Montrachet that should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.