Domaine Etienne Sauzet, established in the 1920s and today one of the most important producers of white wine in all Burgundy
The history of this domaine dates to the beginning of the 20th century, when Etienne Sauzet inherited and bought several plots of vines in the village of Puligny-Montrachet. The vines passed through the family to Jeanine Boillot, Sauzet’s granddaughter. Jeanine and her husband, Gérard Boudot, managed the domaine, making many modernizations including improved vinification techniques and biodynamic farming.
Today the domaine has been passed to their daughter Emilie and her husband, Benoît Riffault, who continue to produce white wines that are among the most sought-after in all of Burgundy. Although the winemaking techniques have been modernized, M. Sauzet’s traditions of estate-bottling and of aging the wines on their lees for 10-12 months to “nourish them” are still respected and result in superbly finished, fruity, and full-bodied wines. After four generations, Sauzet is still synonymous with high-quality, elegant, Burgundian Chardonnay.
Some 9.24 hectares are currently owned, including tiny plots of Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, along with an impressive array of six premiers crus in Puligny-Montrachet. A tiny (half hectare) plot is also owned in Chassagne-Montrachet, Les Encegnieres, directly underneath vines Sauzet utilises in Batard-Montrachet.
94 Points Vinous
Sweet hints of Chamomile, honey, almonds and yellow-fleshed fruit wrap around the palate as the 2011 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Canet shows off its class. Rich, layered and enveloping to the core, the Champ Canet is another wine that is going to need time to fully come together. I especially admire the wine’s volume, texture and soft contours. Expressive floral notes appear over time, adding lift and perfume that balances some of the intensity of the fruit
93 Points Wine Advocate
Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet 2011 from Etienne Sauzet has a crisp and defined bouquet with chalk dust, fresh green apple and flint scents that express more vigor than Jacques Carillon’s example. The palate is medium-bodied with penetrating citrus fruit, a stony core and a focused, convincing finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a very well-crafted Puligny premier cru from Sauzet.