1998 Fontaine-Gagnard Bâtard-Montrachet

Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard takes its name from the marriage of Richard Fontaine to Laurence Gagnard, the daughter of Jacques Gagnard of Domaine Gagnard-Delagrange. Like many estates in Burgundy, Fontaine-Gagnard’s history is inextricably linked with generations of families that have intermarried, divided vineyards and sometimes reunited disparate vineyards and estates into new properties. Laurence inherited part of her father’s estate, which is now the estate she and her husband own and operate. Fontaine-Gagnard has 20 acres mostly in Chassagne-Montrachet with premier cru parcels in Pommard and Volnay. There are also grand cru parcels in Le Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Criots-Batard-Montrachet. Especially noteworthy is the estate’s Criots-Batard-Montrachet, since it comes from a vineyard that includes just 5 acres. Clive Coates has called Fontaine-Gagnard “one of the very best sources” for Criots-Batard-Montrachet. The estate produces a total of 36,000 bottles a year.

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.