Vinous (94)

White plum, fresh apricot, hazelnut, honey and nutty oak on the nose, perked up by a whiff of pineapple. Sweet, deep and powerfully structured, with the wine's fresh fruit flavors currently held under wraps by surprising acidity. Not showing the personality of the Clos de la Mouchere, but this grand cru's sheer energy and very long, rising finish promise a slow and eventful evolution in bottle.

Burghound (96)

This is slightly more complex if a bit less elegant with its equally broad-ranging nose of apple, pear, white flowers and mandarin orange, all of which is trimmed in just enough wood to warrant mentioning. There is outstanding volume to the concentrated, powerful and palate coating flavors that are supported by a firm acid spine on the tension-filled and massively persistent finish. This is a big yet well-balanced Bâtard that should age for a very long time yet be approachable after only 5-ish years or so.

Vinous (95)

Compared to the premier crus at this address, this wine offers another dimension on the nose, with aromas of pear, white flowers, almond and hazelnut complemented by deeper-pitched soil tones and a hint of dried fruits. Hugely rich but surprisingly energetic on the palate, conveying seamless flavors of yellow and dried fruits and salty minerality. Totally saturates the mouth and mounts on the back end without leaving any impression of heaviness. Boillot told me that the 2017 version of this wine is a bit higher in acidity but this bottle boasts excellent verve.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is showing brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, honeycomb, white flowers, orange oil and wheat toast. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and muscular, with lively acids and an impressively structured, introverted profile for the vintage, concluding with a long, saline finish.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)

Mid lemon yellow. There is a slight reduction to the nose. All the weight appears on the palate with a gorgeously sensual deep white fruit, not heavy at all. White pepper. There is no sign of the reduction on the palate. An exceptional example with more tension at the back, great potential for the long term. Guillaume Boillot has dialled down to 50% new wood here and that is plenty. Tasted: 10/1/2021

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)

Mid lemon yellow. There is a slight reduction to the nose. All the weight appears on the palate with a gorgeously sensual deep white fruit, not heavy at all. White pepper. There is no sign of the reduction on the palate. An exceptional example with more tension at the back, great potential for the long term. Guillaume Boillot has dialled down to 50% new wood here and that is plenty. Tasted: 10/1/2021

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95-98)

A glowing pale yellow. Super-concentrated if not yet very yielding bouquet. Extra tension here, certainly some depth, but perhaps more in class than power. That will change with time – the class with remain but the depth will expand. White fruit, tension, some youthful bitters, but keeping itself to itself for the moment. Really very long finish though. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted: December 2023.

The JC Guyaux Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020, a breathtakingly expressive Chardonnay, is another masterstroke from the esteemed Burgundy cellars of Jean-Claude Guyaux. Renowned for its meticulosity in the vineyard, Guyaux hand-harvests from nearly century-old vines in Batard-Montrachet's finest parcels. This exceptional 2020 vintage showcases a winemaking process honed for depth and complexity. Enticing notes of ripe stone fruits, citrus peel, and distinctive minerality mingle in a beautifully textured backdrop, with Burgundy's iconic limestone terroir imparting sublime balance and longevity.

Regarded internationally as one of Burgundy's most respected producers, Guyaux's commitment to traditional winemaking techniques ensures the JC Guyaux Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 is no deviation from the stellar line-up. Enjoy this wine's graceful ageing potential, or relish it now for a finely poised orchestration of concentrated fruit, powerful acidity and nuanced oak influence. The JC Guyaux Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 is a testament to the artistry of a truly masterful winemaker.

An exquisite showcase of Burgundy winemaking, the Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 hails from iconic French vineyards. Jean-Marc Blain and his wife Claudine, the daughter of a notable wine-making family in Chassagne-Montrachet, painstakingly cultivate this elegant Chardonnay. Hand-harvested grapes are fermented in oak barrels, imbuing this limited-production white wine with remarkable depth and richness.

The 2009 vintage offers a balance of intensity and freshness, featuring indulgent aromas of ripe pear, brioche and nuances of almond, dovetailing into a lingering, mineral-laced finish. Devotees of Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 will appreciate its luxurious body and precision, a hallmark of the Blain-Gagnard estate's meticulous approach.

Pair this opulent expression of Batard-Montrachet terroir with rich seafood or creamy poultry dishes, making it an extraordinary companion to elegant dining experiences. Experience the artistry of fine French winemaking with Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2009.

Fall under the captivating charm of Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021. This exquisite Burgundy hails from the renowned Batard-Montrachet vineyard, a testament to the exquisite terroir of Côte de Beaune. Crafted by the Blain-Gagnard maison, a celebrated domain established in 1980 by Jean-Marc Blain and his wife, Claudine Gagnard-Chassagne, it exhibits an unrivalled dedication to quality and authenticity.

The 2021 vintage comprises exclusively Chardonnay grapes, meticulously hand-selected and cultivated with organic farming principles. The wine boasts refined intensity and a broad aromatic palette. Notes of citrus, stone fruit, and buttered toast intertwine, leading to a well-structured and balanced palate, underscored by an enveloping minerality and bright acidity. The Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 epitomises the quintessential craftsmanship of this leading winemaking family, delivering a Burgundian Chardonnay of grandeur and elegance. Praise this white's beautifully executed opulence and sophisticated lingering finish. Revel in the depth and complexity of this premium offering.

Fall under the captivating charm of Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021. This exquisite Burgundy hails from the renowned Batard-Montrachet vineyard, a testament to the exquisite terroir of Côte de Beaune. Crafted by the Blain-Gagnard maison, a celebrated domain established in 1980 by Jean-Marc Blain and his wife, Claudine Gagnard-Chassagne, it exhibits an unrivalled dedication to quality and authenticity.

The 2021 vintage comprises exclusively Chardonnay grapes, meticulously hand-selected and cultivated with organic farming principles. The wine boasts refined intensity and a broad aromatic palette. Notes of citrus, stone fruit, and buttered toast intertwine, leading to a well-structured and balanced palate, underscored by an enveloping minerality and bright acidity. The Jean-Marc Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 epitomises the quintessential craftsmanship of this leading winemaking family, delivering a Burgundian Chardonnay of grandeur and elegance. Praise this white's beautifully executed opulence and sophisticated lingering finish. Revel in the depth and complexity of this premium offering.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)

Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. There is nonetheless huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, yet still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. Long and ripely scented finish. Tasted: November 2021

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)

Only down 40% thanks to general protection. Delicious pale lemon colour with a few green reflexes. Power in a chiselled rather than a fat style. Huge opulence on the palate, luxurious white fruit, ripe pears, not going as far as peach, and still managing a certain elegance. All in place here. A long and ripely scented finish. All one would hope for. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted: November 2022

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96)

A pale colour with a lime tint. Backward but powerful, as it should be. Taking time to build on the palate, with a mineral thread of acidity, pure white fruit, expertly poised. There may be weightier examples around, but this is certainly very fine. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted: October 2023.

Burghound (93)

A notably ripe and ever-so-mildly exotic but not really surmature nose consists primarily of spicy white orchard fruit along with hints of wood, white flowers and viognier. The rich, opulent and vibrant broad-shouldered flavors possess lovely complexity while delivering excellent length on the powerful and focused if somewhat linear finish. This will almost certainly add body with age, and it appears to be structured for mid to even longer-term cellaring.

Vinous (94)

The 2019 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru comes from a one-third hectare of vines of which half is en friche (fallow), so only a couple of barrels are produced. It has a very delineated bouquet with enticing citrus peel, crushed pebbles, Clementine and blackcurrant leaf aromas. The palate is very well balanced with impressive concentration and slightly viscous on the entry. Quite rich for a Bâtard-Montrachet yet poised and mineral-driven on the finish. What a wonderful Bâtard-Montrachet - and I confess that I could not resist a cheeky morning sip!

Wine Spectator (95)

Solid and compact right now, this is a powerful, concentrated white, showing a chalk flavor under the butter and apricot. Gathers speed across the palate, building to a long finish. Needs time to integrate and realize its full potential. Best from 2011 through 2024. 103 cases imported. -BS

Burghound (96)

Here the nose is notably tighter and more reserved with aromas of citrus blossom and zest, spice, smoke, fennel and hints of acacia that introduce big, muscular and wonderfully complex broad-scaled flavors that culminate in a long, focused and explosive finish of breathtaking length and intensity. This should reward at least a decade in the cellar and drink well for a similar period thereafter. This too is terrific and very Bâtard and like the Combettes, the '08 version is one of the very best young examples from Leflaive that I have ever seen.

Burghound (96)

Here the nose is notably tighter and more reserved with aromas of citrus blossom and zest, spice, smoke, fennel and hints of acacia that introduce big, muscular and wonderfully complex broad-scaled flavors that culminate in a long, focused and explosive finish of breathtaking length and intensity. This should reward at least a decade in the cellar and drink well for a similar period thereafter. This too is terrific and very Bâtard and like the Combettes, the '08 version is one of the very best young examples from Leflaive that I have ever seen.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2009 Batard-Montrachet positively explodes from the glass. Round, sweet and expressive, the wine saturates the palate with masses of fruit in a bold, powerful style that is utterly irresistible. The finish is intense and resonant in all directions. Remy notes that the Batard is the only 2009 above 14% in alcohol. Anticipated maturity: 2017+.

Wine Enthusiast (99)

In this great year for white Burgundy, Bâtard-Montrachet shines out as the epitome of balance between superb fruit and intense mineral and terroir characters. Its subtle touch of wood highlights the unctuous surface texture while just hinting at the steel sharpness of the structure beneath. Age this superb wine for at least 10 years.

Wine Advocate (95)

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Bâtard-Montrachet 2011 from Anne-Claude Leflaive is slightly deeper in color than its peers. The nose is a little austere at first, but it unfolds nicely with impressive mineral (slate and flint) scents, well defined and poised. The palate is well balanced with a keen thread of acidity. There is a bright citric heart to this Bâtard-Montrachet with fleeting touches of nectarine and citrus lemon joining the edgy mineral finish. This is a classy Grand Cru – regal but not imposing.

Burghound (93-96)

Here the nose is restrained to the point of being all but mute and only aggressive swirling coaxes the grudging aromas of pear, white peach, apricot, acacia blossom and discreet menthol nuances. As is usually the case there is more size, weight and muscle to the medium weight plus flavors that possess a hint of bitter lemon on the massively long finish. What I find interesting about the 2013 Bâtard is not only that it is more elegant then usual but also that it manages to deliver so much volume and power without any appreciable weight. In a word, brilliant.

Wine Spectator (97)

This intense white exhibits lemon, apple and honeydew melon flavors over a backbone of crackling acidity. Linear and persistent, this has an extra dimension, resonating on the long aftertaste of spice and mineral. Best from 2020 through 2032.

Vinous (96)

The 2019 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru shows a little more clarity, a touch more crystalline on the nose compared to the Bienvenue, scents of Granny Smith apples, petrichor and gunflint. It is controlled and penetrating. The palate is extremely well balanced with a fine silver bead of acidity that cuts through the concentrated malic fruit, a dash of pepper towards the finish that fans out gloriously, sour lemon and grapefruit lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful. Closure: Diam 30

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)

5-Star Wine Mid lemon yellow. The bouquet also takes time to emerge, then shows a little more power than the Bienvenues. The oak is a fraction more present but still superbly integrated. The taffeta texture could not possibly have more tensile strength, with an exemplary purity of fruit. To have so much power (not in an alcoholic sense) and yet so much grape. Little light fresh apple notes to finish. Tasted: May 2022

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)

5-Star Wine Mid lemon yellow. The bouquet also takes time to emerge, then shows a little more power than the Bienvenues. The oak is a fraction more present but still superbly integrated. The taffeta texture could not possibly have more tensile strength, with an exemplary purity of fruit. To have so much power (not in an alcoholic sense) and yet so much grape. Little light fresh apple notes to finish. Tasted: May 2022