2017 Louis Latour Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru

With the largest holding of Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy (68 acres), the philosophy has always been to maximize the quality of the grapes to produce great wines. The care and attention to detail seen in their sustainably farmed vineyards are carried over into their winemaking where commitment to traditional and manual techniques brings out the absolute best in all of their incredibly age-worthy and food-friendly wines.

The Grand Cru vineyard of Bâtard-Montrachet lies between the picturesque villages of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, home to the world's greatest white wines. Only a small country lane separates this 29-acre vineyard from the great Montrachet itself. Its gentle easterly-facing slope is made up of a deep, rich, gravelly soil that has a limestone base, world-renowned for the production of high-quality Chardonnay.

Louis Latour stands out among its competitors as it controls every aspect of production from grape to bottle. The winery operates its own vineyard, nursery, forests for oak sourcing of their barrels, printing shop, and even unique bottle shape.

Today, Maison Latour operates 25 family-owned and managed companies around the world. The winery produces wine from 140 appellations. The winery also owns and operates Maison Simmoney-Febve in Chablis and Maison Henry Fessy, which remarkably produces wines in nine out of ten Cru Beaujolais. The winery also produces white wine in the Ardeche (near Cotes du Rhone) and Pinot Noir at Dom. de Valmolsinne in Southern France.

In the US, Louis Latour operates as its own importer, cutting out the middleman, which mirrors BHW's own cost-efficiency.

Jean Charles Thomas has been the winemaker at Louis Latour for 32 years. Prior to that, he apprenticed with Jean Pierre Jobard for more than 10 years. Jean Charles is widely considered one of the finest winemakers in the world, with unrivaled experience and expertise with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. During his tenure at Louis Latour, he has produced more than 40 wines rated 95+.

Aging: 8 to 10 months in French oak, 100% new

 100% Chardonnay. The 2017 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has a lovely pale gold color and its nose reveals intense notes of toasty almond, vanilla, and honeysuckle. Its mouth is well-rounded and has a great structure with oaky hints.

Enticing aromas of white flowers, lemon, pastry shop, and toasted spices are followed by apple, mineral, and spice flavors in this plump yet elegant white. Long and creamy on the finish, unleashing its payload gracefully. This should age beautifully, but decant now if you can't wait. ~96 Wine Spectator

A very impressive nose with plenty of lemon and grapefruit on offer, as well as hazelnutty oak influence and some stony nuances. Very rich and quite exotic fruit on the palate, in the peach, nectarine, and mango spectrum. Well cast oak warms and spices up the finish. Complex and generous Bâtard. Drink or hold. ~94 James Suckling

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