(94 - 96 points) The 2016 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru was not too affected by frost according to Benoît, as the vines were partly protected by the wall that runs along the top of the vineyard toward Montrachet. It has a well-defined bouquet with expressive scents of green apple, fresh pear and a slight touch of mint, conveying a sense of coiled-up energy and frisson. The palate is well balanced with a fine thread of acidity, just a little honeyed in texture with quite an intense, spicy finish that leaves you with a positive impression. You know what...this might well turn out to be the best wine from Sauzet this year. Bravo.- NM

Attractively ripe, fresh and softly exotic aromas are comprised of floral, spice, tea and dried white and yellow fruit scents. The ultra-seductive big-bodied flavors are quite concentrated yet surprisingly elegant while delivering first-rate persistence on the clean, dry and linear finish. This is not a typical Bâtard of imposing size and weight but rather one of refinement and even finesse, which is not a descriptor one often employs with respect to Bâtard.

The Bâtard opens in the glass with notes of honeysuckle, mandarin oil and preserved citrus and pear, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. On the palate the wine is ample and expansive, larger-scaled than the premiers crus, revealing good concentration and extract balanced by juicy acids. This is cut from quite elegant cloth for a young Bâtard.