Etienne Sauzet: Thrilling Puligny-Montrachet

Producer

Etienne Sauzet: Thrilling Puligny-Montrachet

Wine Team New York |

The roots of this domaine can be traced back to the early 1900s when Etienne Sauzet, the founder, inherited and acquired several vineyard parcels in Puligny-Montrachet. Over time, the property passed down the family to Jeanine Boillot, Sauzet’s granddaughter. Jeanine and her husband, Gérard Boudot, took charge of the estate and implemented significant advancements, introducing enhanced vinification techniques and embracing biodynamic farming practices.

The estate has since transitioned to the capable hands of their daughter, Emilie, and her husband, Benoît Riffault. In the words of Emilie, “At every moment, it’s a pride to walk on the mystical lands of Puligny, this ground, this earth which gave birth to our wines. This territory is a deep fastener to me, a direct link to my family.”

This dynamic duo carries on the family legacy, producing highly coveted white Burgundy. Robert Parker Jr. commented, “This is one of the most serious estates in Burgundy. The wines are usually among the very best made...They are textbook white Burgundies, brimming with flavor, yet elegant and well balanced.” While the domain has embraced modern winemaking methods, it remains true to Etienne Sauzet's traditions, such as estate bottling and the ageing of wines on lees for 10-12 months.

Etienne Sauzet's vineyard estate employs sustainable, organic, and biodynamic methods across its 15 hectares, situated in Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Cormot-le-Grand within the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. The majority of these plots lie within the esteemed Premier Cru vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet. The vines, aged between 23 and 74 years, produce fruit of exceptional ripeness owing to their optimal placement.

We are pleased to offer a robust selection of wines from the 2020 vintage from this thrilling producer. Benoît Riffault described the 2020 vintage as "...one that was very surprising, not only because there were no climatic incidences of note but also because such a hot and dry growing season produced such fresh and vibrant wines.” The wines showcase beautiful, perfumed floral notes, with freshness and vibrancy on the palate, and a fine balance of ripeness and restraint. We encourage you to act fast as these wines are sure to move quickly!