I generally have not asked to taste the Bâtard-Montrachet at Domaine Niellon in recent times, as I knew these old vines are now producing very little crop. However, Monsieur Coutoux decided to open one, as this may well...
I generally have not asked to taste the Bâtard-Montrachet at Domaine Niellon in recent times, as I knew these old vines are now producing very little crop. However, Monsieur Coutoux decided to open one, as this may well be one of the last vintages for the old vines here, and the wine is excellent. However, one can see that the old vines are starting to really lose just a touch of vitality, as this wine used to keep pace with the Chevalier without any difficulties, but in 2013, it is just a half step behind that lovely wine. The bouquet offers up a fine blend of pear, apple, honeycomb, butter, orange blossoms, deep, chalky soil tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and almost velvety on the attack, with a fine core, bright acids and very good length and grip. In 2013, the Chevalier is racier and a touch more complete, but this is still an excellent wine.