Faiveley Batard Montrachet Grand Cru

According to traditions, it is said that the Lord of Puligny chose to share his land between his children and gave his legitimate son a parcel that later became Chevalier-Montrachet whilst his illegitimate son was gifted with three parcels: Bâtard-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Criot-Bâtard-Montrachet. The Lord also gave his daughters a parcel known as Les Pucelles. The Faiveley family purchased this parcel in 2008 at the same time as the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru parcel.

Winemaker notes

The intensely aromatic nose discloses notes of tart fruits and roasted hazelnut. The palate is smooth and distinctive with excellent balance and a remarkably smooth finish found in only the finest white Burgundies. This wine evolves beautifully with bottle age.

2020

Burghound 91-94: Here the equally layered nose is a bit more expressive with its aromas of white orchard fruit, abundant citrus and discreet wood influence. The slightly bigger flavors also possess an exceptionally refined, sleek and encompassing texture while displaying focused power on the complex, sappy and balanced finish that really fans out as it sits on the palate.

Wine Advocate 92-94+: The 2020 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru unfurls in the glass with aromas of ripe orchard fruit, hazelnuts, freshly baked bread, baking spices and buttered toast. Full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's generous and giving, with lively acids and plenty of mid-palate weight.

2021

Burghound 91-94: Generous if not dominant wood fights a bit with the similarly exotic aromas of lemon confit, tangerine rind, white peach and apricot scents along with a floral top note. The sleek, vibrant and tautly muscular broad-shouldered flavors are not quite as concentrated though they do possess a highly attractive texture as well as better depth and persistence.

Wine Advocate 93-95: More muscular and introverted than the expressive Bienvenues, Faiveley's 2021 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru reveals aromas of pear, yellow apple, toasted nuts and white flowers, followed by a full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's tensile and structured.

2022

Wine Advocate 93-95: Deep and muscular, the 2022 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru reveals notes of pear, sweet stone fruit, fresh mint, buttered toast and hazelnuts, followed by a full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's deep and concentrated, its sweet core of fruit girdled by lively acids.

James Suckling 97-98: Mind-blowingly deep and subtle nose of stone fruit with citrusy nuances. All the density of Batard, but with such elegance at the extremely long, focused finish. Great potential! From old vines purchased in 2008.

Vinous 93-95: The 2022 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has slightly more complexity and mineralité on the nose than the Bienvenue. It’s sprightly and focused, with a hint of sea spray coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tension and a very slight reduction that lends tension, counterbalancing the creamy finish. Excellent.

Decanter 95: Faiveley owns a third of a hectare on the Puligny side of Bâtard, directly up-slope from their vines in Bienvenues. The wine is a classic of the appellation, with ripe apple and quince aromas, hints of acacia flower, hazelnut, and spice. The texture is powerful and richer than the Bienvenues; it also has more structure and potential for ageing. The overall impression is one of density without heaviness – marvellous. This wine should open with three to five years in the bottle and drink for a further 20.