2012 Etienne Sauzet, Bourgogne Blanc, Chardonnay, White Burgundy, France.
Gorgeous, exotic and vibrant are just the beginning in this fine and wonderful white burgundy from the legendary Gerard Boudot of Etienne Sauzet, the famous and treasured producer in Puligny. The wines of Etienne Sauzet are laser sharp, precise and filled with energy from this Bourgogne Blanc to their mighty Grand Cru wines from Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet as well as their stunning Premier Cru and village offerings, with out a doubt these are some of the best Chardonnay wines you can reasonable obtain, and this entry level 2012 Bourgogne is ultra fine, classic and stupidly good for the price. Boudot has always made intense wines, these are vivid and tension filled Chardonnays, I remember in my first tasting with one of his Puligny-Montrachet (s) back in early 2000’s being completely shocked and struck by the fierce acidity, mineral and power in the wine, it reminded me of a young Raveneau Chablis, but after opening up there was purity and deep complexity, amazing wines, and this 2012 brought back those memories, but it is more flamboyant, round and can be enjoyed now (young) with a palate that is packed with flavor and vibrancy. This must come from de-classified Puligny blocks, and maybe some of the Grand Cru as well, it is just to concentrated, sexy, gloriously layered and detailed to be from anything other than great terroir, regardless of my opinion, this is super stuff, with focus, drive and density. The Sauzet 2012 Bourgogne Blanc shows white flowers, hints of straw, lime and clove on the nose leading to a mouth filled with lemon, green apple, pear and white peach with hints of tropical essence, almost banana, vanilla bean and chalky stones, steely mineral, electric acidity lifting all the flavors and a bit of savory spice and saline adding to the balance. This wine is a fantastic and bold effort by a top Domaine, it comes in at a classic 12.5% alcohol and has a lovely long finish, dynamic and fresh from start to lingering aftertaste, drink from 2015 to 2020, imported by Vineyard Brands.
($35 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
