2004 Jean-Noel Gagnard Bâtard-Montrachet

Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard is in Chassagne-Montrachet. It has been owned and operated by the same family since the mid-18th century but it was not until the 1960s that Jean-Noel Gagnard inherited the domaine and began bottling under this own label. Today the 28-acre estate is run by his daughter Caroline Lestime. The domaine has a Grand Cru parcel in Batard- Montrachet and white Premier Crus in Chassange-Montrachet. Though best known for its white wines, it also has Premier Cru reds in Clos Saint-Jean, Morgeot and Santenay.

Batard-Montrachet is one of the four great Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards in the appellation of Puligny-Montrachet, in Burgundy. Like its neighbor Le Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet also lies partly in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation just to the south of Puligny-Montrachet. At 30 acres, Batard-Montrachet is the largest of four Grand Crus and it is divided into nearly 30 individually owned parcels. Located just to the east of Le Montrachet, the soil of Batard-Montrachet is deeper and less thin. The largest landholders are Leflaive, with 4.5 acres; Ramonet, 1.2 acres; Bachelet-Ramonet, 1.4 acres; and Paul Pernot, 1.5 acres.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.