Description
From Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning “Inside Burgundy” comprehensive handbook… “The original Etienne Sauzet (1903-75) put together a wine domaine of around 12 hectares and established the Sauzet name as one of the top two or three addresses in the village. Initially the domaine was taken over by his son-in-law Gérard Boudot, who arrived in 1974, but in 1991 the inheritance was split up between the three grandchildren, one of whom (Jean-Marc Boillot) chose to take out his share of the vineyards.
Since that time Gérard Boudot, now joined by daughter Emilie, and son-in-law Benoît Riffault, has augmented his holdings by purchasing grapes, some from the same appellations as his own holdings below, others to complement the range, such as Champs Gains, Chevalier-Montrachet and Le Montrachet itself.
SARL Sauzet buys the grapes from three family property-owning companies (the original Sauzet vineyards, those purchased since by Gérard Boudot, and those recently purchased by Emilie and Benoît) and also grapes from two other producers with whom they have close contact.
The vineyards have been farmed organically since 2006 and after two years of experimentation all switched to biodynamic cultivation from 2010. The grapes are sorted to remove grey rot where necessary, then pressed without crushing and fermented in oak until racking into tank before the next harvest, for a further six months élévage on the fine lees. The premiers crus receive between 20 per cent (La Garenne) and 33 per cent (Combettes) new oak with 40 per cent for the grands crus.
The generic and village wines are elegant and stylish, while the 1er and Grands Crus are splendidly concentrated and opulent, yet beautifully proportioned and never overbearing. They are some of the most sought-after wines from Puligny and are models of intensity and balance.”
A blend of seven parcels vinified separately then aged in 15-20% new oak, more than a third comes from Les Meix, one of the top lieu-dit in Puligny. Intense, fresh and complex. Full, flavoursome and not lacking freshness. Notes of limestone, nut and citrus zest with a hint of melting butter.
The 2013 Vintage ….. Notes from Burghound, Issue 59, Tasted June 15, 2015
Gérard Boudot described the 2013 vintage ” … Yields were down to between 30 to 35 hl/ha, which isn’t super low but it’s not what we prefer. Phenolic ripeness levels were adequate and the potential alcohols were solid if not exceptional with a range of 12.4 to 13.1%. We did no bâtonnage [lees stirring] at all as the wines seemed to already have sufficient mid-palate density. Acidities were good if not exceptional while the malos were variable. Once the malos were finished the pHs averaged right around 3.15 which is pretty much textbook. As to the wines, they remind me somewhat of 2007 or even perhaps a more concentrated version of 2011. While I wouldn’t call 2013 a genuinely great vintage I will say that stylistically it’s my kind of vintage because there is terrific freshness and verve to the wines plus it is very easy to appreciate the intrinsic terroir differences. I think the wines will drink well after only a few years of bottle age and then hold well.”
Score: 89 – “Outstanding”, Burghound, Issue 59, Tasted June 15, 2015 “From 7 different lieux-dits. A slightly more elegant nose features notes of matchstick, citrus, floral and a hint of wood toast. The middle weight flavors possess excellent punch and detail that continues onto the slightly more refined finish where a hint of bitter lemon arises. This too delivers fine quality for its level and also merits your interest. Drink: 2020+”
88 points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous , May 2015 “(a blend of seven parcels; 12.6% alcohol): Pale yellow. Tight aromas of white peach, clove and lees. Ripe yellow fruit flavors are nicely shaped by integrated acidity. Suave in the middle palate but a bit aggressive and dry on the end, conveying an impression of phenolic roughness.”
RRP $165
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