Fontaine-Gagnard Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2017 (750ML)

95 BH / 95 WA / 93-95 VM

Tasting note: A deft touch of wood surrounds the aromas of equally restrained and quite floral, lemon zest and subtle spice hints. The ripe and rich large-scaled flavors are relatively fine while delivering a balanced, linear and superbly persistent finish that is notably dry. This too is very much built-to-age but in contrast to the Criots, this is going to need at least a decade of cellaring first. Allen Meadows – Don’t Miss

Wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of vine blossom, acacia honey, mandarin oil, ripe pears and hazelnuts, the 2017 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is full-bodied, unctuous and dense, with a blockier, more foursquare profile than the lavishly expansive Criots, with more depth and concentration too, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. This is quintessential Bâtard. William Kelley – The Wine Advocate

(the Fontaines' vines are ideally situated on the Chassagne side of Bâtard, not far from the border with Puligny): More reduced and less pristine on the nose than the Criots-Bâtard. Then dense, tactile and very deep on the palate, conveying terrific definition and floral lift for young Bâtard. Like the best of these '17s, this shows a captivating sweet/salty quality. Finishes vibrant, tactile and very long, with outstanding mineral grip. Like the Criots-Bâtard, this wine is carrying a healthy four grams per liter of acidity, notes Céline Fontaine. Its impression of strong dry extract suggests that it has the stuffing to age slowly and gracefully. Stephen Tanzer – Vinous Media