1995 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Revealing a beautiful deep sweetness in the nose, the Batard Montrachet displays interesting roasted and toasted smoky fruit flavors. This medium-to-full-bodied wine exhibits admirable staying power and balance. It should age well for 10 or more years (give it 3-4 years before opening it). This note is the result of tastings I did in Burgundy between January 7 and January 29. Ratings with a range of scores in parentheses indicate the wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. My expectations were high when I arrived for my tasting at this world-renowned cellar. I had drunk the 1978 and 1992 Chassagne Montrachet Les Ruchottes with a good friend over dinner a few nights before, reminding me of the beautiful wines Ramonet is capable of making. While the 1995's were excellent, I found them to be disappointing for an estate of Ramonet's stature. (The few 1994 Ramonets I have tasted were also a let down, lacking fruit and revealing signs of oxidation). Importer: Chateau & Estate Wine Co., New York, NY; tel (212) 572-7725.