1998 Verget Bâtard-Montrachet

Maison Verget is a negociant based in Macon, Burgundy. It was founded in 1990 by Jean-Marie Guffens, a Belgian who moved to France in 1976 with his wife to learn French and study wine. After studying viticulture in France and working for other winemakers, they started making their own wines under the label Domain Guffens-Heynen. But Jean-Marie also wanted had ideas about being a negociant, and today his idealistic and demanding approach to vinification have made the Verget “one of Burgundy’s most talked-about sources of white Burgundy,” according to Robert M. Parker Jr. Verget’s broad portfolio of wines win high ratings from Parker and others.

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.