In Bond Fine Wine. 2013 Fontaine Gagnard Criots Batard Montrachet, Criots Batard Montrachet, Burgundy, France. Grand Cru • White Burgundy in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 95/100 (NM). Drinking window: 2017+. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
A top Chassagne producer, Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard has enviable Grand Cru holdings. Fontaine-Gagnard have 4 parcels in Batard Montrachet, the main part overlooking Criots. Criots Batard Montrachet is a tiny south-facing vineyard south of Montrachet.
Neal Martin (NM) — 95/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/12/2014 · Drink 2017 - 2032
The 2013 Criots B'tard Montrachet Grand Cru has an intense and mineral bouquet that soars ' touches of white peach and apricot blossom gently drifting from the glass, flecks of chalk and even white chocolate. The palate is fresh and vibrant, hints of white peach and brioche, oyster shell and citrus peel on the precise understated finish. This will be irresistible.
Allen Meadows (BH) — 93/100 · Burghound, 15/06/2015 · Drink 2021+
There is enough reduction present to push what appears to be ripe and mildly exotic yellow fruit aromas to the background. The big-bodied, powerful and solidly concentrated medium weight plus flavors possess notably better mid-palate density before terminating in a balanced and impressively persistent finish. Note that my score offers the benefit of the doubt that this will develop more depth ove…
Stephen Tanzer (ST) — 92/100 · Vinous, 01/09/2015 · Drink 2019-2025
Pale, bright yellow. Lively aromas of exotic fruits, floral honey and clove. Silky, rich and suave, conveying sexy soil tones to its flavors of lime, menthol and white truffle. This nicely balanced, tactile Criots-Batard comes across as more refined than its 2014 sibling, but that wine was in an awkward stage at the end of May.