1996 Marc Colin (Pierre Colin) Bâtard-Montrachet

Domaine Marc Colin et Fils is in Saint-Aubin. It was founded in 1970 by Marc Colin, who retired in 1995 after having turned the domaine into one of the appellation’s most admired producers. Today the domaine is run by three of his children, Caroline, Joseph and Damien. A third son, Pierre-Yves, has started his own domaine nearby. The 47-acre Domaine Marc Colin et Fils has parcels in 26 appellations in the communes of Saint-Aubin, Chassange-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet and Santenay, producing about 120,000 bottles annually. Seventy percent of the wines are white and 30% red. Some 50% of the wines are exported, mostly throughout Europe. The family’s portfolio includes nearly 30 wines, mostly Premier Crus, though there are also Grand Crus and village appellations. Reviewers have been highly complimentary. Wine Advocate’s reviewer wrote in late 2014: “There is just an honesty, a deceptive simplicity to (the wines) because on the surface they are so delicious, yet underneath are some articulate expressions of terroir, stunning mineralité and hidden complexity…. I have heaped praise upon Domaine Marc Colin in previous years. This is no different. Domaine Marc Colin is one of the best growers in the Côte de Beaune...”

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.