08 Fontaine Gagnard Batard Montrachet

WINE TALK
1

Opened a bottle for Christmas Day gift exchange with my wife and her family. I’m glad I did as the color was dark gold, nose was filled with toffee butter, hazelnuts, honey and mineral. Viscous with mineral, acid and baked orchard fruits with a long, creamy finish. This looked and tasted as if it was at least 10 years older than it is.

I’m glad I opened it as I fear to have waited two years longer would’ve resulted in a totally premoxed wine. It was enjoyable but far too advanced for an 08 Batard. If you own it, I would strongly encourage you to pull the cork sooner rather than later.

2

David Sugarman and I had a bottle of the '04 batard from this producer this past summer - quite young, no premox and a terrific bottle. If premox doesn’t get you, this bottling is a (relative) bargain in a good white vintage. YMMV, and of course a big caveat.

3

Exactly as I expected…

It’s not this vintage, or even this wine, everything of his seems to be the same.

The wines age very quickly, and can turn in a short period of time.

Even on release some recent wines have looked very advanced.

I won’t buy this producer ever again…

4

Pulled one tonight Anthony. It has a nose that has a lot of honey. No overt advanced notes but the wine is very dark for a few year old wine. The wine was not bad. Absolutely not in the same class as a 2011 Pernot Batard however.

5

I won’t buy this producer, either.

6

Don,

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. I love the Pernot Batard.

The bottle of 08 FG BM I had was quite advanced on the nose and palate. It was definitely not bad, just advanced. I’m glad to hear yours was better.

We should try to drink some wine together soon.

Anthony

7

Had the 2010 version of this over the weekend. My 2nd btl and glad we drank it now - delicious but way too advanced for its age. If I ever buy more F-G, will be for current consumption only.

8

I hope to see you soon too.
We had a great Christmas. Looks like you and Ashley did too!
Happy New Year to you.
Cheers.

9

We had the 04 Monty back in Sept. It did not show any signs of premox but I was too nervous to age it longer. Unfortunate, as it could have used another few years.
I have the 04 Blain-Gagnard Criots heading for the Guillotine next.

10

Got a case of the '09 buried. Time to unbury it and see what’s up…

11

same bottle last summer was near what you described above. too ripe, too advanced and no where near enough poise. pass.

12

Scott = I just opened a 2005 Blain-Gagnard CM Les Caillerets and it had started to oxidize with the slight sherry notes coming through. Another will be opened again this month to check for consistency of oxidation. Also in the stable are some 2002 Fontaine-Gagnard CM Les Caillerets that hold up better thus far…Gary

13

ouch!
I really like the wines when they are not infected

14

+1

15

My sense whenever I have tasted the whites of Fontaine Gagnard is that they are wide open and made for immediate consumption. They are delicious young, but even though I have not tasted one with age this thread does not surprise me.

16

+2