2009 Vincent & Sophie Morey Bâtard-Montrachet

Vincent & Sophie Morey founded their domaine Chassagne-Montrachet in 2006, and had their first harvest in 2007. Both come from many generations of Burgundian winemakers. Vincent’s father is the highly esteemed Bernard Morey. The 50-acre domain The domaine’s signature wines are its Grand and Premier Cru whites, including Batard Montrachet Grand Cru. The reds include several Santenay Premier Crus. Wine Advocate has rated the domaine’s wines highly in the past. A recent review of the 2010 Batard Montrachet called it “dazzling…with intense, mineral notes that frame the intense fruit, showing exquisite balance in a big, full-bodied style.”

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.