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Background information


  • Ed. note by Don Cornwell: Gerard Boudot, the winemaker at Sauzet, tells dramatically conflicting stories about his batonnage regime depending upon who he is telling the story to. Compare particularly the differences in the preliminary notes between comments made to Tanzer and Remington Norman concerning the 1993 vintage and the comments on the 1999 vintage. The post-ML batonnage in 1995, 1996 and particularly in 1999 is of HUGE concern to me given the widespread reports of oxidized 1996 and 1999 Sauzets.
  • In Remington Norman's “Great Domaines of Burgundy” published in 1996, he describes Sauzet's batonnage practices through 1995 as follows: “To get the best out of a wine's fine lees, it is important to ensure their even distribution throughout the cask by periodical batonnage. This starts whilst the wine is still fermenting, when it is roused every two days. The frequency is reduced to fortnightly [i.e. every two weeks] up to the malo, and thereafter monthly until the wine is first racked. Increasing batonnage played a seminal role in fleshing out the Domaine's 1993, which would have otherwise been too lean and unbalanced.” However, in Issue 49 of the IWC, Steven Tanzer relates a very different story on the 1993 vintage: “Gerard Boudot was not thrilled with the quality of the lees in '93: he therefore did less batonnageand racked the wines off their lees earlier–in most cases in late May or early June–for fear of extracting too much herbacity.”
  • In vintage 1995: used batonnage through the completion of ML fermentation on all wines; frequency not disclosed; at the end of May 1996, Boudot told Tanzer that he “planned to continue stirring the lees of a few of his cuvees even beyond the end of the secondary fermentations.”
  • In vintage 1996: used batonnage; done weekly through at leastthe end of May 1997 after MLs had been completed. In the September-October 2007 Issue of International Wine Cellar, Steven Tanzer quoted Gerard Boudot as saying: “The worst vintages for me [from an oxidation perspective] were '96 and '98. In '96 in particular, the malos were long and I did a lot of lees stirring. Because of the late malos I did not dose with SO2 until it was too late.”
  • In vintage 1999: batonnage done once every two weeks (per Tanzer) for nine and a half months (per Rovani) – even after the assemblage and first racking in early September. “With perfect lees what else would you do?”, Gerard Boudot asked P. Rovani. According to Allen Meadows, Boudot “did more batonnage (lees stirring) in 99 than he normally does and did so for a full 11 months.”
  • In vintage 2000: (Ed. note by Don Cornwell): no published information, but it would seem that Boudot did something different. In three tastings of 2000's conducted in June 2007 and Feb 2008 we had no oxidized Sauzet wines and as of May 2008, only one bottle reported oxidized below. What did they do differently?
  • In vintage 2001: per Allen Meadows did “less stirring of the lees than usual.”
  • In vintage 2003: per Allen Meadows: “by March I racked into stainless tanks, chilled the new wines to 12°C and let them feed on their fine lees with essentially no bâtonnage.I also bottled several months earlier than usual, with everything being finished by December. I didn’t change anything regarding the percentage of new wood though I did bottle with 800 ml of gas [CO2] rather than my usual target of around 650.” Boudot recommends drinking all of the 2003's “within three or four years.”
  • In vintage 2004: per Allen Meadows: “I did a lot of bâtonnage trying to enrich the sense of body.” Steve Tanzer (in his preliminary comments on the 2005 vintage) reports as follows: “Those who have had problems with premature oxidation in Sauzet wines from the '90s (especially '96, although Boudot noted that the '95 Bienvenue Batard was his first “problem wine”) will be happy to know that Boudot is now bottling with somewhat higher levels of free and total sulfur.”
  • In vintage 2005: Per Steven Tanzer: “In addition to being more careful about stirring the lees and sulfuring his wines, Sauzet has also taken steps to ensure better cork quality and more perfect closures. Beginning with the 2005 vintage he no longer uses corks with silicone (he only uses paraffin which he describes as a natural product), and he has switched to a bottle with a longer neck, so that the entire cork grips the glass. The result is a cork that's considerably harder to extract, but a far more successful seal.”
  • In vintage 2006: Per Allen Meadows: “As I noted in Issue 27 [reviiewing 2005's] Boudot has made a number of changes in response to the premature oxidation issue [beginning with the 2004 vintage]. These changes include changing the bottle shape (specifically elongating the neck for a tighter cork fit, raising the free SO2 levels to between 38 and 40 ppmand using corks coated with 100% paraffin.”
  • In vintage 2007: dialed back free SO2 level to 37-38 ppm as SO2 was notable at 40 ppm; wines bottled in March 2009 after having spent the last 5-6 months assembled in tank
  • In vintage 2008: Per Burghound: free SO2 target levels at bottling now 40 to 45 ppm
  • In vintage 2009: Per Steve Tanzer: “now uses more lees, presses stronger and longer and does no batonnage”
  • In vintage 2014: Per Steve Tanzer: used “extra-thick, extra-long 25-by-49-millimeter corks of the 2014s. The estate has also been using wax seals for its grand cru bottles since vintage 2013.” Per Tanzer: free SO2 target has remained at 40-45 ppm starting with the 2008 vintage.

Wines

  • Puligny Combettes(06 Jul 2006): Medium gold color but the mealy/cereal character in the aromas and flavors that I associate with oxidation. Seems past its prime. Drink up. [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes (Apr 2010): not at all oxidized; really wonderful and vibrant. In open carafe then next morning it was even slightly improved and showing no oxidative notes. [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Champs-Canet (June 2008): Has held up well - still alive and kicking if lacking a little class. [Paul Dellar]
  • Montrachet (Feb 2017): not oxidized. Tremendous @ EMP [N. Lau]
  • Puligny(15 Sep 2005): not oxidised, showing very well [Guillaume Deschamps]
  • Puligny Les Referts(March 2006): Not oxidized; vibrant, concentrated, terrific. At peak [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Les Referts(July 2012) Not oxidised, rich with plenty of cut and precision. Excellent. [Regan McCaffery]
  • Puligny Combettes (21 Jun 2006): Not oxidized, excellent, but took a while to open up [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Champs-Canet (June Sep 2014): Over the hill but not oxidized [ER]
  • Batard Montrachet(29 Jun 2011): not oxidized, but not a great wine and this got worse with air [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny(May 2011): not oxidised, excellent wine [Stephane Pierrel]
  • Puligny Combettes(21 Jun 2006): Partially oxidized aromas and flavors, but still drinkable Drink up. [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes (Feb 2010): not at all oxidized, but quite ready to drink. Was charming as soon as the cork was pulled and remained so all evening, for hours. [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes (Feb 2014): not at all oxidized, pretty lean. Really improved with aeration for several hours. And, incredibly, was even better a day in a half later, left in the half-filled bottle. [Stuart BH Niemtzow]


  • Puligny Referts(2004): not oxidised, delicious (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Combettes(Dec 2005): not at all oxidized; drink up though [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes (Apr 2009): not at all oxidized; really wonderful and vibrant, too, though not the richness of the best vintages; I guess I was wrong in 2005 about when to drink! [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Nov 2006): oxidised, completely shot! [Mark A. F. Weiss]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Aug 2009): oxidised, undrinkable [MLee]
  • Batard-Montrachet(28 Oct 2005): not clearly oxidised but very poor showing, very thin on the palate, off-putting nose [G Deschamps]
  • Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet(March 2009): badly oxidised [Stephen Williams]
  • Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet(January 2010): badly oxidised. Luckily my last one [Stephen Williams]
  • Puligny Champs Canet(Feb 2008): cork w/bluish-grey tinge, bottle likely oxidized or far beyond its time or combination of both [S Dreher]
  • Puligny Combettes(Jun-Sep 2003): tasted 3 times, not oxidized, but fully ready to drink [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes(23 May 2004): brilliant, clearly super wine [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Perrières(9 Dec 2005): mature, fully opened, ready to drink [JE Simond]
  • Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet(Mar 2008): not oxidized [ER]
  • Puligny Referts (Dec 2010): not oxidized, fantastic, one'd be hard pressed to tell 15 yrs old. Will keep (MdeMorey)
  • Batard-Montrachet(Aug 2005): oxidised [MAF Weiss]
  • Batard-Montrachet (25 Jan 2006): not oxidized, excellent, see 96 tasting notes, but see alsoBurghound tasting notes database reporting one super bottle but two of three bottles sampled oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet(23 Feb 2011): I thought this was quite mature, honeyed and advanced, but lacked the classical markerts of oxidation and so the majority of the tasters at the 95-2000 Retrospective. But four tasters felt very strongly this wine was oxidized. [Don Cornwell]
  • Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet(Aug 2005): oxidised [MAF Weiss]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Aug 2005): brilliant and very young [MAF Weiss]
  • Montrachet (May 2012): oxidized [David Kubiak]
  • Puligny Champ Canet(May 2008): No oxidation, still young, slightly oaky and grippy; good wine [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Combettes(19 Sep 2004): medium gold color, seemingly mature, but not oxidized… seems ready now or very nearly so [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes(Oct 2005): not at all oxidized; pretty acidic, though not tight [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(Nov 2005): oxidised [MAF Weiss]
  • Puligny Combettes(Dec 2005): not oxidized; just about ripe, exellent [Heinrich Steininger]
  • Puligny Combettes(25 Jan 2006): oxidized, but somewhat drinkable, see 96 tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes(Apr 2007): not at all oxidized; pretty acidic, though not tight, and good, lean fruit [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(May 2007): oxidized [ER]
  • Puligny Combettes(Jul 2007): not oxidised [MLee]
  • Puligny Combettes (Nov 2010): not oxidized; fine [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
    Puligny Folatieres(May 2005): in perfect shape, showing lemon, beeswax and some nutty characteristics.
  • Puligny Folatieres(Sept 2006): oxidized [Poppy Davis]
  • Puligny Garenne(Nov 2004): acidic but not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Garenne(Dec 2005): one absolutely oxidised, one brilliant and a perfect showing of the year [Rene Gleissner]
  • Puligny Referts(Jan 2006): decent Burgundy colour and drinkable, but oddly flat and lifeless. A typical example of the 96 disease in its less virulent form [Toby Bailey]
  • Puligny- Montrachet villages (Aug 2010): oxidized [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(15 Feb 2006): (375ml) looking like a Beerenauslese, sadly not tasting like one: completely oxidised [Rainer Guntermann]
  • Puligny Combettes(Mar 2006): (2 bottles) oxisidised but somewhat drinkable, though with not much pleasure [JE Simond]
  • Puligny Combettes(Mar 2007): pure, lively minerally and about as pleasurable as a 1997 white Burgundy can get. Not oxidized; still going strong the next morning, too. Am I the only one who hasn't had an oxidized Sauzet…..? [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(Nov 2009): 2nd bottle: not oxidized, but about as advanced as a 12 year old might be…not a keeper at this stage. Good wine. [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(Nov 2009): 1st bottle:dark color; oxidized/very advanced, but drinkable…though not too pleasant, once compared to the bottle just above this.[Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Garenne(Jan 2005): not oxidised [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Referts(Aug 2003): not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Batard Montrachet (Feb 2007): not oxidised but badlly corked. A 2nd bottle better. (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Champ Canet(Dec 2009): Showing strong signs of oxidation. [Paul Raiche]
  • Puligny Champ Canet(Jan 2010): Showing strong signs of oxidation. [Paul Raiche]
  • Puligny Combettes(Aug 2007): Tastes old and tired. [Paul Raiche]
  • Puligny Combettes(Oct 2009): Dead - Oxidation. [Paul Raiche]
  • Puligny Combettes(Jan 2010): Dead - Oxidation. [Paul Raiche]
  • Puligny Garenne (May 2007): No sign of any oxidation. [Paul Dellar]
  • Bâtard-Montrachet(Dec 2005, Feb 2006): strong oxidative notes; while not completely shot or undrinkable, this bottle showed very poorly and was clearly on its way to a premature demise; a second bottle was similarly oxidized [David Chan]
  • Batard-Montrachet(28 Feb. 2007): completely oxidized as well as corked – see related tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet(July 2008): young, fresh, clean, in need of decanting. No blue tinge [R. Gleissner]
  • Batard-Montrachet(Aug 2011): oxidised, down the sink, what a waste! (Adrian Latimer)
  • Batard-Montrachet (Mar 2015): very mature, on the way down [J. Poell]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Jul 2005): fantastic wine. Bleached cork with blue tinge [WK Choy]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Mar 2006): (magnum) Absolutely stunning wine in perfect condition [JE Simond]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Jan 2007): not oxidised, young clean and still tight [MLee]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(28 Feb 2007): not oxidized but a relatively disappointing showing – see related tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Aug 2009): not oxidised but quite advanced [MLee]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Feb 2010) not oxidised, great showing [Fred Corbalis]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(May 2010-Aug 2010): 5 bottles – one completely oxidized, one partially oxidized, one very good and two exceptional [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet (19 Oct 2012): not oxydised, lots of finesse, seemed to lack a little acidity to be great, was developing nicely during the night [Gilles Huygen]
  • Montrachet(Aug 2004): not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Montrachet(Aug 2006): not at all oxidized - young, clean, gorgeous [Andrew Hall]
  • Montrachet(5 Mar. 2007): partially oxidized – see related tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(8 Mar 2011): not oxidized, fabulous, one of the three best bottles of white burgundy I've ever had [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(6 June 2015): not oxidized; excellent [H. Horwitz]
  • Montrachet(28 July 2015): completely oxidized [H. Horwitz]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Aug 2004/Jul 2005): 2 bottles. Neither oxidised. Bleached cork with blue/grey tinge [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Feb 2006): very good wine, no oxydation, stil fairly young [JE Simond]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(April 2008): totally shot, fully oxidised. [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Combettes(Aug 2004-Aug 2005): 3 bottles. Good wine. Not oxidised. Bleached cork with blue tinge [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Combettes(12 Dec 2005): deep golden colour, nutty nose, clearly more evolved than it should be, I would say not oxidised but not far away [Rainer Guntermann]
  • Puligny Combettes(Nov 2005): oxidized [R. van Volkenburgh]
  • Puligny Combettes (Dec 2005): oxidized [anonymous]
  • Puligny Combettes(07 Feb 2006): quite oxidised [Rainer Guntermann]
  • Puligny Combettes(04 Mar 2006): full bottle, in contrast to the last 5 halves, not even slightly oxidised, very good bottle [Rainer Guntermann]
  • Puligny Combettes(21 April 2006): absolutely gorgeous, clean, rapier-like, very good (sourced in Paris) [Michel Robert Abood]
  • Puligny Combettes(Aug 2006): Not oxidized; reassuringly pale, well-balanced, still young [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Combettes(28 Feb 2007): By consensus, partially oxidized –see related tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes(31 Dec 2009): Oxidized [??]
  • Puligny Combettes(Sep 2011): not oxidized; very fine wine [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes (19 Oct 2012): not oxidized, in great shape and wonderful wine [Gilles Huygen]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Aug 2004): not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Feb 2007): not oxidised but drinking well already [MLee]
  • Puligny Garenne(Jan 2006): not oxidized, white cork with blue tinge, minerally, fine and very tasty [Jeremy Holmes]
  • Puligny Referts(04 Sep 2004): not oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Referts (27 Dec 2006): not oxidised [Paul Dellar]
  • Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet(Aug 2005): not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(18 Jun 2007): not oxidized. See notes of 2000 tasting. [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(5 Feb 2008): not oxidized, brilliant. See notes of 2d 2000 tasting [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Jan - Mar 2010): Three bottles; none oxidized; two were outstanding, almost completly mature and probably at their peak and one was somewhat tired and a bit dull. [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(3 Apr 2010): Not oxidized. Another awesome bottle, probably the most youthful of the 2010 bottles [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(May 2012): not oxidized. Very nice Chevalier drinking well. [Ville Viinikka]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Nov-Dec 2013): 2 bottles, not oxidized. Drinking well. [FYC]
  • Meursault Desirees(Sept. 2006): 4 bts at a tasting; none oxidised; beautiful buttery/oily style, showing quite a lot of oak [Nigel Bruce]
  • Montrachet(18 Jun 2007): not oxidized; awesome. See notes of 2000 tasting. [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(26 Feb 2008): not oxidized and awesome again [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(May 2012): not oxidized. Still young, but a really complete and impressive wine. [Ville Viinikka]
  • Montrachet(May 2012): maybe slightly oxidised, but very good wine, only a hint of oxidation on the finish[Chuck Miller]
  • Montrachet (Nov 2015): perhaps a bit advanced, deep coloured, but no overt oxidation; very good [RBE_NZ]
  • Puligny(Jul 2005): not oxidised [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny(9 Feb 2006): (375 ml) clearly not oxidised, very good [Rainer Guntermann]
  • Puligny(4 August 2006): Very nice, though a bit oaky but not oxydized [Michel Robert Abood]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(November 2007): Fresh, youthful, lovely - no problem at all [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(June 2008): No problem [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(July, 4, 2008): not oxidized, great bottle that is drinking well and seems like it can go further [Keith Akers]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Feb, 2009): not oxidized, medium/light gold color, perfect cork [Keith Akers]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(May, 2010): not oxidized and drinking beautifully [Mike Klein]
  • Puligny Folatieres(5 Feb 2008): not oxidized. See 2000 tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Folatieres(12 Jan 2009): Slightly oxidized, still drinkable but overly mature [Regan McCaffery]
  • Puligny Garenne(May 2006): Not oxidized at all, excellent, bright, very focused [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Garenne(June 2010): Not oxidised. Mature, but still fresh. Very nice [Ville Viinikka]
  • Puligny Perrieres(24 Feb 2006): not oxidized, excellent [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Perrieres(11 Apr 2009): not oxidized, slight blue tinge on cork; still youthful; excellent [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Referts(14 June 2005 ): 375 ml Youthful, clean, not oxidised [??]
  • Puligny Referts(10 Feb 2006): slightly oxidized, bleached cork w. touch of blue [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Referts(28 Apr 2006): excellent; very youthful, not oxidized, bleached cork w. hint of blue [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Combettes(5 Feb. 2008): no hint of oxidation. See 2000 tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes(23 Jan 2009): 1 btl pristine, one btl starting to oxidise [Nigel Bruce}
  • Puligny Combettes(31 May 2009): Not oxidised, beautiful wine, not youthful though, almost mature.[Regan McCaffery]
  • Puligny Combettes (15 June 2009): Not oxidised, not as good as first bottle but correct maturity.[Regan McCaffery]
  • Puligny Combettes(May 2013): not oxidized; very fine wine for the vintage, and quite young [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Les Folatières (June 2011): Not oxidised but disappointing lack of character [Greg Munyard]


  • Batard-Montrachet(Mar 2006): not oxidised. Very very young. Great wine [Michael Lux]
  • Batard-Montrachet(4 Feb 2009): not oxidized, excellent. See 2001 tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet(11 Feb 2009): not oxidized and again excellent. See 2001 tasting notes, Part II [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet(Apr 2011): oxidized [MLT]
  • Batard-Montrachet(Apr 2011): two bottles, neither oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(May 2007): deeeper colour, notes of honey, caramel and cognac; first stage of PO, this will die soon! [René Gleissner]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Jun 2007): slight hint of oxidation, tastes older than it should be [MLee]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(11 Feb. 2009): not oxidized, excellent wine. See 2001 tasting notes. [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Jan 2011): No signs of oxidation, excellent wine. Camomille and honey. Caramel in the post-taste. [Jorfra]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(Jan 2012): Not oxidized. Terrific wine. [AT Bridge]
  • Montrachet(4 Feb 2009): not oxidized, quite extraordinary. See 2001 Tasting Notes, Part I [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(July 2009): not oxidized, excellent [Bill Lawrence]
  • Montrachet(August 2012): Tough call. Color was darker than expected, and there was a very oxidative element upon opening and the first 1-2 hours of aeration. Then that element blew off, and the resulting wine was quite rich and very good, but tasted very fully mature. [P. Mesrobian]
  • Puligny(Dec 2005): deep golden color, seemed off to begin with, and partly oxidized by the end of the evening. No blue tinge on cork [David Klinger]
  • Puligny(July 2006): Wow, fantastic wine, crisp, clean and just a real pleasure, even if the midpalate was a bit weak. Yummy! [Michel Robert Abood]
  • Puligny(Nov 2006) 3 bottles 1 was oxidised 2 others were fresh and delicious [Simon Davies]
  • Puligny(Sept 2008) No oxidation, still very fresh in fact. [Paul Dellar].
  • Puligny(Sept 2009): not oxidised but corked and down the sink.(Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Mar 2006): not oxidized, light gold, very delicious fresh flavors, unbleached cork w. no blue tinge [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Jul 2008): not oxidized, color good, held up nicely for a week in the fridge; no blue tinge [Robert Thornton]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Feb 2009):Not oxidized, unbleached cork [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(May 2010): Not oxidized, unbleached cork, green tinged gold color; super bottle, just terrific [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Jan 2011): Not oxidized. Stunning.
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Oct 2011): Not oxidized. Excellent wine. [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (Jan 2013): Not oxidized. Shows good orchard notes, lime and lemon peel. Drinking great [Frank Murray III]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (April 2013): Not oxidized. Very good. [Corey Miller]
  • Puligny Combettes(4 Feb. 2009): not oxidized, excellent. See 2001 tasting notes, Part I [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Combettes(May 2012): not oxidized, really excellent. [Ville Viinikka]
  • Puligny Combettes(Mar 2016): not oxidized; wonderful wine [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(Jun 2017): not oxidized; wonderful wine [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Combettes(Nov 2017): one oxidized and dark; the next less so and borderline, though ultimately probably not oxidized. Not unpleasant, either.[Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny Hameau de Blagny(May 2007): not oxidised. Nice oily-ness, crisp and bright. [Andrew Hall]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Jan 2008): not oxidized, very youthful; great finish, unbleached cork w. no blue tinge [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Folatieres(May 2008): not oxidized, also very youthful;unbleached cork w. silicone and no blue tinge [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Jan 1 2010): not oxidized, really nice right now; unbleached cork; no blue tinge [Ben Delancy]
  • Puligny Perrières(Feb 2009): Oxidized (early stage); unbleached, pliant cork [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Les Referts (4 Nov 2008): not oxidized: good color, unbleached cork, outstanding bottle, but came off as an early drinker [Keith Akers]
  • Batard-Montrachet(7 Aug 2007): fully developed gold color, honyed aromas, tastes like mature 12 year old wine at age 5. Beware. [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet(Dec 2009): light gold color, still very young with vibrant acidity, not oxidized and needs more time (MSaviage)
  • Batard-Montrachet(18 Feb 2010): not oxidized, but fairly advanced color and flavors; much more advanced than the other Batards in our tasting. See 2002 Tasting Notes, NIght Two. [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet(Jul 2005): not oxidised. Cork did not appear bleached [WK Choy]
  • Chevalier Montrachet(July 2007): not oxidised, delicious, pale gold [Nigel Groundwater]
  • Chevaliver Montrachet(18 Feb 2010): Not oxidized, and unlike the Batard, not advanced. See 2002 Tasting Notes, Night Two. [Don Cornwell]
  • Chevalier Montrachet (6 July 2014): Past its peak, showing pronounced signs of tiring with distinct Sherry notes and a lack of energy. [Ken Lamb]
  • Montrachet(4 Mar 2010):Not oxidized and very impressive wine. See 2002 Tasting Notes, Night Three. [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny(Jan 2008 ): not oxidised,very light golden touch [Rainer Guntermann]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Sep 2005): not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Dec 2007): partially oxidized. gray-blue goo at end of unbleached cork [David Klinger]
  • Puligny Champs-Canet(Sept 2008): Not oxidized; great wine with impactful fruit and minerality; very fresh [MSaviage]
  • Puligny Champs-Canet(Feb 2009): Same as September bottle; very fresh with good fruit and minerality [MSaviage]
  • Puligny Champ Canet(March 2009): half bottle, fully mature, living dangerously, at the edge [??]
  • Puligny Champ Canet(June 2009): very similar to MS's September 2008 review. Clean cork.
  • Puligny Combettes(Jul 2005): not oxidised. Cork did not appear bleached [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Combettes(Jul 2007): not oxidised but feels a bit hollowed out, as if it might collapse soon [MLee]
  • Puligny Combettes(Jul 2008) Not oxidised. [WK Choy]
  • Puligny Combettes(Mar 2009) Sensed oxidation on the nose at the start (perhaps reduction?), but it faded with citrus, spice, minerality, and acidity taking over; day 2 still showed freshness; seems like it had the potential to go the oxidized route, but not yet. [MSaviage]
  • Puligny Combettes(Apr 2009) No signs of oxiditation. Quite fresh and a little closed. [Mike Klein]
  • Puligny Combettes(4 Feb 2010): somewhat advanced color, but a good wine. Not oxidized. See 2002 Tasting Notes, Night One. [Don Cornwell]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Mar 2005): not oxidized [David Chan]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Aug 2007): Not oxidized; young and fresh; great acidity and fruit (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Folatieres(Oct 2008): Same as a year ago; not oxidized; young, fresh, great acidity and lovely minerality (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Folatières(Feb 2009): Not oxidized, but corked - damn! [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Folatières(Feb 2009): Not oxidized [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Folatières(Jul 2009): Not oxidized [MLee]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Nov 2009): Not oxidized [T DeWaen]
  • Puligny Folatieres(Oct 2011): Not oxidized, still very youthful [Ville Viinikka]
  • Puligny Perrieres(Feb 2007): not oxidized. Cork did not appear bleached [David Klinger]
  • Puligny Perrières(May 2009): Not oxidized, quite good in fact, rich but bright [Frank Drew]
  • Puligny Perrieres(April 2010) : excellent wine [Herwig Janssen]
  • Puligny Perrieres (Sept 2009 - May 2012) : seven bottles from reputable source; four superb, the last three (Aug 2011 through May 2012) falling apart rapidly [David Honig]
  • Puligny Perrières (July 2010): Oxidized [Frank Drew]


  • Batard Montrachet(Aug 2011): Not oxidised. Good (but Bonneau du Martray 03 and d'Auvernay village Auxey 03 better) (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny La Garenne(Sep 2009):oxidised, advanced gold color (Mike Burke)
  • Puligny Les Combettes (May 2010): not oxidised, very good albeit '03 ripeness [Mark C. Johnson]


  • Batard Montrachet(Jan 2012): not oxidized; still a baby and very primary (MSaviage)
  • Bienvenues–Bâtard–Montrachet (Nov. 2016 – Oct. 2018): 6 btls not oxidized. Straw gold color & excellent clarity. Not decanted. Utterly compelling bouquet of sweet white flowers, stoned fruits, & then minerals. Delicious on the palate. Clearly of grand cru caliber, but without the stuffiness & pretense that often comes with the pedigree. From a lot of 6 purchased in May 2015 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny (Mar 2012):not oxidized; good bottle (B Delancy)
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(May 200): not oxidised [P Muto]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(March 2009): not oxidsed, very young [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Nov 2009): not oxidised, still young [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(July 2010): two bottles, one corked (but not oxidised), one fine [Paul Dellar]
  • Puligny Combettes(Aug 2010): not oxidized, still young and fresh, great minerality (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Combettes(Feb 2011): not oxidized but not young either (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Combettes (Dec 2013, April & Dec 2014 & March 2015): 2 not oxidized, lovely. 2 ox and down the sink, last one exellent (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Champ Canet/Referts (Apr/July 2013):not oxidized, young, very good [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Perrières (Sep 2010):not oxidized; very young, great structure; unbleached cork w. silicone (B Delancy)
  • Puligny Perrières (May 2011):not oxidized; very young, excellent bottle (B Delancy)
  • Puligny Perrières (Mar 2012):not oxidized; excellent bottle (B Delancy)
  • Puligny Perrières (July 2011):not oxidized, but not giving much; can't tell if it's maturing fast or closed [Ralph Earle]
  • Puligny Perrières (Feb 2013):not oxidized, young, very good [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Truffieres (Feb 2011): Not oxidized and quite young. [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Batard Montrachet (23 Oct 2015) Not oxidised but slightly corked, no fruit showing [S Whitaker]
  • Puligny-Montrachet Folatières (October 2013): oxidized, intense aromas of butterscotch, palate dead [BergA]
  • Chevalier-Montrachet (May 2013): Not oxidized, young and fresh (MSaviage)
  • Montrachet (May 2013): Not oxidized [MLT]
  • Montrachet (July 2014): not oxidized [Peter von dem Borne]
  • Montrachet (Apr. 2019 – ): 1 btl not oxidized. Glorious wine with absolutely extraordinary length. From a lot of 3 acquired in Apr. 2014 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny from 375ml (February 2011): not oxidized, lovely bottle of wine. Just at full maturity. [Pete Mesrobian]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(May 2010): not oxidized; young, fruit-forward and fresh (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Mar 2011): not oxidized (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(August 2011): completely oxidized [Thomas Gratton]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (April 2012): oxidized, unlike bottles opened in 2009-2011 from the same source [David Honig]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (April, Nov 2015): not oxidized, very good & fresh, 2nd one dead [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Combettes(Dec 2009): not oxidized, delicious, still young [Bill Lawrence]
  • Puligny Combettes (Mar 2012): not oxidized; very round and fresh (MSaviage)
  • Puligny Combettes(Aug 2017): not at all oxidized; reserved and needed lots of oxygen/aeration to show its class and appeal [Stuart BH Niemtzow]
  • Puligny–Montrachet “Les Combettes” (Sep. 2017 – Dec. 2017): 2 btls not oxidized. Extremely reticent in the nose & on the palate. Much better after decanting, revealing apricot & almond notes. Similar to my experience with the same cuvée from Domaine Leflaive. From a lot of 2 purchased in Feb. 2017 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny Garenne (Junel 2015): not oxidized, lovely[Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Referts (April 2012): oxidized, unlike bottles opened in 2009-2011 from the same source [David Honig]
  • Puligny Referts (Sept 2014, Nov 2015): not oxidized, very good, 2nd one dead [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Perrieres (Sept 2014): not oxidized, but corked [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Perrieres (June 2015): not oxidized, lovely [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Perrieres (June 2015): First bottle crisp and very good. 2nd bottle totally oxidized and undrinkable. Same provenance, same batch. [H. Rodriguez]
  • Montrachet (December 2011) not oxidized, very lovely wine. [Leah Amir]
  • Montrachet (June 2012): not oxidised, also lovely. [Don Osborne]
  • Batard Montrachet (April 2017): still quite young (Adrian Latimer)
  • Batard Montrachet (June 2016): not oxidized, big, heavy, quite young [Adrian Latimer]
  • Bâtard–Montrachet (Mar. 2018 – ): 5 btls not oxidized. Not decanted. Quite massive, but more enjoyable than the BBV. 1 btl (Dec. 2018) had a lot of wood in the nose but wasn't corked or otherwise compromised. Somehow, the Sauzet 1er crus from this vintage have been more memorable than the rather stiff grand crus. 7 btls purchased from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer in Sep. 2014 (1) + Apr. 2015 (6). [Rayner Cheung]
  • Bienvenues–Bâtard–Montrachet (Jan. 2018): Not oxidized. Deep gold. Not decanted. Somewhat reticent initially, but both the nose & the palate developed nicely in the glass. The 2004 is much more charming; this one was a bit four–square. Purchased in Mar. 2014 at retail in Tokyo. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny–Montrachet “Les Combettes” (Nov. 2015 – Dec. 2017): 8 btls not oxidized + 1 corked. One good btl had just a hint of honied maturity in the nose. Other good btls had a younger aromatic & flavor profile, with some quinine–like astringency on the palate. Best served decanted. From 9 btls purchased in Jan. 2014 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny Combettes (Dec 2016): lovely, all correct [RBE_NZ]
  • Puligny Garenne (June 2015, Aug 2016): not oxidized [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Referts (March 2016): oxidized, dead [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny–Montrachet “Les Referts” (Apr. 2017): Not oxidized. Glorious wine. Last of about half dozen bottles enjoyed since 2011, all in great condition. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny Perrieres (March 2016): not oxidized [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Champs Canet (Aug, Oct 2016): both oxidized, flat, deep yellow [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Champs Canet (Sept 2017): 2 bottles in the same month, both improved day 2, very nice [RBE_NZ]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet(Fev 2011): not oxidised, young [J. Prandi]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (Aug 2012): not oxidised, very young [C. Schneider]
  • Puligny Combettes (Summer 2010): 2 bottles, both ery advanced for such a young wine [??]
  • Puligny Combettes (June 2012) - painfully young - a baby - should be great if it makes it past the 7 year mark.. (R DeAngelo)
  • Puligny Referts (May 2012): not oxidized, great shape [Bill Lawrence]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (Sep 2012) Bottle 1 - moderately oxidized, no advanced color but bready, nutty nose and flat palate (J Flegler)
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (Sep 2012) Bottle 2 - not oxidized, beautiful young wine (J Flegler)
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (June 2014) oxidized, disappointing (Bill Lawrence)
  • Montrachet [May 2015]: Not oxidized. Very youthful, still a vibrant green-tinged lemon colour and tight. It did seem to lack the depth one would expect from Montrachet but definitely no premox issues. [Ken Lamb]
  • Montrachet (10 June 2017): not oxidized, in fact, lovely. [Nathan V.]
  • Puligny Combettes (Jun 2015): Oxidized, undrinkable. (Timothy Magnus)
  • Puligny Combettes (July 2014): Utterly brilliant, appropriately pale [RBE_NZ]
  • Puligny Combettes (Jan 2016): Quite brilliant again, appropriately pale [RBE_NZ]
  • Puligny La Garenne (Feb 2016): From 375. Advanced, butterscotch, flat and tired (Mike Saviage)
  • Puligny Combettes (May 2017) through a case bottles have exhibited varying degrees of premox including complete ox (Kevin Harvey)
  • Puligny Perrieres (Aug 2017&Feb 2018): fine, young & mineral (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligmy Folatieres (Aug 2017, June 2018): both splendid (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Champs Canet (Aug 2017 & Sept 2018): lovely, very mineral, young (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Combettes (Aug 2017) hurrah 4 ex 4 all top class, rich, mineral & youthful (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Combettes (Oct 2018) not premox, colour & nose ok, good extract/minerality and acidity but where's the fruit? Both this and the 2008 seem lacking fruit, not a patch on the 2007 drunk a year ago. Advanced? (Adrian Latimer)
  • Batard Montrachet (Sept 2017): given lots of air, after which some caramel / nutty air was apparent; but not oxidised [RBE_NZ]
  • Chevalier Montrachet (July 2016): Excellent, appropriately pale [RBE_NZ]
  • Puligny Garenne (Apr 2012): not oxidized, youthful. [Joe Durnell]
  • Puligny Champ-Canet (May 2013): not oxidized, youthful and fresh [droch]
  • Puligny Combettes (March 2016): One oxidized and one ok (possibly slightly advanced) [Kevin Harvey]
  • Puligny–Montrachet “Les Combettes” (Jun. 2018 – ): 5 btls not oxidized + 1 btl advanced but still drinkable. Better decanted. The good btls are youthful, but the elements are coming together beautifully. Just–ripe citrus in the nose carries over to the palate, which is complicated by a tantalizing interplay between refreshing acidity & sweet fruit. At least 1 btl delivered an astonishing surge of flavor in the finish with nut oils, preserved lemon, & salted caramel that was reminiscent of New World Chardonnay. From 2 lots of 6 purchased in Dec. 2013 & Jul. 2015 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny Referts (June 2018): fine, high acidity (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny–Montrachet “Les Referts” (Aug. 2018 – Jan. 2019): 2 btls not oxidized + 1 btl advanced. The good btls are half a notch down from the Combettes in terms of power & complexity, but all of the same elements are there: a lemony bouquet that's easy on the senses continues on to the palate where sweetness from the fruit provides exceptional balance. From a lot of 3 purchased in Aug. 2015 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
  • Puligny Garenne (Oct 2018): not oxidized, good [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Perrieres (Oct 2018, May 2019): not oxidized, both lovely [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Combettes (Oct 2018): not oxidized, but fruit seems subdued, bit disappointing for what it is. way outshone by a 2008 Chassagne Caillerets from Ramonet. Advanced? (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Garenne (Jan 2019): not oxidized, lovely [Adrian Latimer]
  • Puligny Referts (May 2019): not oxidized, taught, mineral, austere, super (Adrian Latimer)
  • Puligny Combettes (May 2019): after the Referts & Perrieres. Another odd bottle, the darkest colour (just) of the 3. No obvious pox, but just tatses of caramel, flat, no fruit or minerality or lift. Very advanced - certainly way below par (again)? (Adrian Latimer)

* Puligny Combettes (June 2019): 3rd time lucky & quite a difference, tight, dense, very citrus, youngish (Adrian Latimer)

  • Puligny Folatieries ( Nov 2016) no premox, very lean wine [b.henry]
  • Puligny Referts (May 2019) no premox, not too 09 ripe, very good (Adrian Latimer)
  • sauzet.1563467801.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2019/07/18 18:36
  • by rayner.cheung