Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Champ-Canet 2011
The palate shows strength and drive with a lovely line of white stone fruit, lemon and grapefruit with touches of honey and pineapple leading into an intensely mineral finish
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2011
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Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Champ-Canet 2011
An exceptional showcase of Burgundy’s elite white wines, boasting a distinct character and remarkable complexity. The wine pours a radiant green-gold hue, immediately catching the eye. On the nose, it unfolds a captivating bouquet of white nectarine, freshly cut pear, and zesty grapefruit, interwoven with delicate hints of acacia flowers, beeswax, and a touch of flint. As the wine breathes, subtler nuances of almond, brioche, and white lily emerge, enhancing its aromatic depth.
Upon tasting, the wine delivers a beautifully textured experience, with flavours that mirror its aromatic profile. Lush white stone fruit, vibrant citrus, and juicy pear dominate the palate, underscored by a gentle creaminess and a whisper of honeyed sweetness. These primary flavours are seamlessly balanced by the wine’s crisp acidity, which lends a sense of vibrancy and freshness to each sip.
What truly sets this wine apart is its mineral backbone, a testament to the terroir of Puligny-Montrachet. The finish is marked by a lingering chalky minerality, complemented by the subtle salinity that keeps the palate alive and invigorated. This 1er Cru from Champ-Canet is not only a perfect example of the elegance and refinement that Puligny-Montrachet is known for but also a wine with an impeccable structure that promises great aging potential.
In essence, the 2011 Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ-Canet is a masterpiece, marrying rich, complex flavours with finesse and a persistent mineral finish, offering an unforgettable tasting experience that evolves beautifully over time.
The Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Champ-Canet 2011 is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting the estate’s commitment to quality and tradition. The vineyards are farmed organically since 2006 and have been practicing biodynamic cultivation since 2010. This holistic approach ensures that the grapes are grown in harmony with nature, resulting in wines that truly express the terroir.
The vineyards of Champ-Canet are situated on a gentle slope with excellent sun exposure, allowing the Chardonnay grapes to reach optimal ripeness. Etienne Sauzet employs sustainable viticulture practices, focusing on soil health and vine balance to produce high-quality grapes. The vines are meticulously pruned and managed to ensure low yields, which enhances the concentration of flavors in the grapes.
The production process begins with careful hand-picking of the Chardonnay grapes, followed by gentle pressing to extract the juice without crushing the skins. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, with a portion of the wine aged on its fine lees to enhance texture and complexity. The premier cru wines, including Champ-Canet, typically receive around 20-33% new oak, which contributes to their rich and opulent character while maintaining balance and elegance.
Harvesting is done by hand to preserve the integrity of the fruit. The grapes are carefully sorted to remove any imperfect berries before they are gently pressed. The juice is then settled to remove any solids and transferred to oak barrels for fermentation. The fermentation process is temperature-controlled to maintain freshness and prevent the development of unwanted flavors.
After fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, which softens the acidity and adds a creamy texture. The wine is aged on its lees (dead yeast cells) for 18 months, with regular stirring (bâtonnage) to enhance complexity and mouthfeel. The use of oak is carefully balanced, with a mix of new and used barrels to add subtle oak nuances without overpowering the wine’s natural character.
The result is a wine that not only captures the essence of Puligny-Montrachet but also promises to age gracefully, evolving and improving over time. The 2011 vintage, in particular, is noted for its strong structure and mineral-driven finish, making it an excellent candidate for cellaring.
It all begins in the first part of the twentieth century, after getting a heritage of some grape vines and buying some others, the great grandfather Etienne Sauzet created domain with the same name in Puligny-Montrachet (21190, Côte d’or, Burgundy).
After four generations and despite his demise since 1975, SAUZET are still 6 letters which ring as an homage at Chardonnay.
At every moments, it’s a pride to walk on the mythics lands of Puligny, this ground, this earth which gave birth to our wines.
Etienne Sauzet vineyard represents 15 ha distributed on Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Cormot-le-Grand in the Hautes côtes de Beaune.
Etienne Sauzet take care of our grape vines, our land, the nature, which give energy to each piece of grapes then to every wine.
Chardonnay
From crisp unoaked versions from cool climates, to full-bodied and oak-aged versions from more moderate climates, and even to sparkling blanc de blancs, the flavors of Chardonnay can vary significantly, while also retaining common characteristics.
On the nose, unoaked, or ‘Chablis-style’ Chardonnays, tend to offer fragrant notes of green apple, pear, and citrus, with some chalky or mineral-like aromas.
Oaked Chardonnays, particularly those in the ‘Burgundian’ style, will often present rich aromas of peach, mango, and lemon, accompanied by notes of vanilla, butter, and often a hint of toasted bread or nuttiness due to the influence of oak, malolactic fermentation, and lees stirring.
On the palate Chardonnay offers a broad range of experiences depending on its style. Unoaked Chardonnays are typically lean and crisp, with high acidity, often resembling the freshness of a Sauvignon Blanc but with more body.
Oaked Chardonnays are known for their full-bodied, creamy mouthfeel, moderate acidity, and flavors of butter, vanilla, baking spices overlaying a stone fruit character. Despite the stylistic differences, both types tend to share a characteristic underlying note of apple or citrus. With age, no matter the style, chardonnay tends to develop hazelnut aromas. Most wines range from 12-14%.
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The Country
French wine, steeped in history and tradition, offers a rich tapestry of flavors and styles. Bordeaux’s iconic red blends—Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—create wines with structured tannins and notes of blackcurrant, plum, and cedar. Burgundy’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay yield velvety reds and crisp whites. Champagne sparkles with toasty brioche and citrus. The Rhône Valley boasts bold Syrah, while Alsace’s Riesling and Gewürztraminer express floral aromas. From Provence’s pale rosés to Corsica’s sun-kissed Vermentino, each bottle tells a story. Santé!
The Region
Known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Burgundy’s terroir imparts distinctiveness. The Côte d’Or yields velvety reds with cherry and earthy nuances. Chablis, from northern Burgundy, offers crisp, mineral-driven whites.
The Producer
It all begins in the first part of the twentieth century, after getting a heritage of some grape vines and buying some others, the great grandfather Etienne Sauzet created domain with the same name in Puligny-Montrachet (21190, Côte d’or, Burgundy).
After four generations and despite his demise since 1975, SAUZET are still 6 letters which ring as an homage at Chardonnay.
At every moments, it’s a pride to walk on the mythics lands of Puligny, this ground, this earth which gave birth to our wines.
Etienne Sauzet vineyard represents 15 ha distributed on Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Cormot-le-Grand in the Hautes côtes de Beaune.
Etienne Sauzet take care of our grape vines, our land, the nature, which give energy to each piece of grapes then to every wine.
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