It seems to me that Montrachet has a completely different meaning now that ripeness is a problem rather than a USP.
I’ve had a lot of disappointments including multiple premoxed Drouhins, tedious Jadots and blowsy botrytic DRC. I suspect that the current standard is high though the price of entry is prohibitive and it’s now hard to make a case that the very best white burgundy comes from this vineyard.
I might look for an old-pre 1990-Remoissenet, which shouldn’t be too expensive though obviously with some risk. It can be the most seductively improper of wines.
A non-spoiled 2010 was fabulous, but sadly most are not non-spoiled.
3 Likes
We had a blind entry '89 Remoissenet at the last dinner. Really good and everyone was surprised to find out what it was. But to be fair it couldn’t hold a dimly lit candle to the '14, '15, '17 Lafon flight.
In the interests of accuracy I should clarify that was meant to also indicate a good vintage for trying one of the two I suggested in youth. I have had several 2020s to date (not Montrachet) and much like 2005 I am finding that they are very approachable. And so while they are certainly primary and not showing all the benefits of age- you can at least get a good read on them plus they are enjoyable to drink. And more generally, given the sheer power of the vintage, that complements nicely the inherent character of Montrachet- assuming the wine has been well made.
I think it was best to compare it to the 93 Lafon and I think it held its own.
1 Like
A different wine altogether, I think! the Remoissenet style as was is from another age, though I had the great good fortune to drink the Leflaive 2000 recently and it was very much in that style-ravishing, slighty disreputable wine though I suppose staggeringly poor QPR when one thinks about it.
1 Like
Dear GERHARD,
Couldn’t agree with you more. I used to buy at Amiot’s in the days when Guy was still at the helm of the domaine. Great MONTRACHET for a fraction of the price of the others. Stopped buying when the sons took over…A mistake !
SINCERELY JOHAN
1 Like
PSA: Envoyer just offered the 2020 Thenard for $575. Not sure that one is worth it though…
1 Like
That’s Sauzet’s source but naturally winemaking may be different. Considering Sauzet has gone up to like $1400, that’s a bargain.
I would have thought the answer in Bouchard. These days it’s not so much about who but how do you find one!
Surprised that this thread has degenerated into a values based debate on morality of spending money on a fine wine board.
Better steer clear of luxury auto and travel forums.
a 2020 Thenard was $550 recently. Can’t speak to quality.
Thénard is the source for Sauzet, Jadot, Remoissenet and probably the majority of other Montrachet on the market.
The farming could be better.
5 Likes
Do you know PYCMs source and if so care to share?
2 Likes
Never tried it, but is Louis Latour Montrachet in the same league of its peers? Rarely hear it mentioned.
No. Always underwhelming.
second rate whites and reds. Occasionally a good Corton Charlemagne.
Keith mentioned it upstream in this thread. Does it have to be Le Montrachet when there would be a raft of Batard & Chevalier as options?
I’ve only Latour once, just two years ago- a 1990 Corton Charlemagne that was stunningly good.
Good to know to about the other wines though.
1 Like
They tend to start off very light and even diffuse, but I too have had good results when the wines have a lot of age on them. A 1973 was absolutely extraordinary when I had it about a decade ago. I do not have sufficiently extensive experience with them to say they are broadly misunderstood, but with the passage of time I have become increasingly more respectful of Latour’s higher end wines.
FWIW the entry level wines are quite good as daily drinkers. When I worked in retail centuries ago, Latour Chardonnay Ardeche was possibly my best selling white wine- certainly my best selling white burgundy.
1 Like
Having had a fair amount of 2020 in barrel and bottle (though only one Montrachet), I would not expect any Montrachet to be particularly open or inviting given the quality of 2020 as a vintage. The wines are dense and powerful; I’d look to 2017 or 2019 first. (Or 2018, I guess, though those would be some extremely fat Montrachets.)
As noted about, 2018 Drouhin was closed tight at release. In bottle every 2020 I have had- red or white- was dense and powerful as you suggest, but also accessible. Primary, absolutely- but accessible.
1 Like