2023 Etienne Sauzet Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Cote de Beaune, France

Wine Notes:

• Aromas: The wine displays a bouquet of white flowers and citrus fruits, leading to notes of stone fruit and honey, underscored by a strong mineral presence.


• Palate: It's described as full-bodied and powerful, with a smooth, almost creamy texture, yet remains balanced by lively acidity. There is a tension and energy about the wine, with a savory, almost juicy style on the finish.


• Structure: The wine shows excellent acidity and builds flavor towards the finish, with a lot of potential for aging.


• Acidity: While powerful and weighty, the wine maintains its freshness due to well-integrated acidity. Some notes of reduced character might be present on the nose initially, but this is a characteristic of some high-quality white Burgundies and doesn't detract from the wine's overall appeal. 

Critic Reviews and Ratings:

• Vinous: Scores the 2023 vintage 95-97 points, reflecting the wine's quality and aging potential.


• Burghound (Allen Meadows): For the 2021 vintage (which is also highly praised), Meadows gives it 93-96 points, noting its floral nose, excellent texture, and powerful finish. He also likens it to the great 1993 vintage from Sauzet.


• Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (William Kelley): For the 2021 vintage, Kelley rates it 91-93 points, describing it as full-bodied, ample, satiny, with racy acids and a saline finish. 

Overall:

The 2023 Etienne Sauzet Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is considered a top-tier white Burgundy, praised for its balance, complexity, and aging potential. It is recommended for those who appreciate elegant and complex white wines with depth and intensity.