2000 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Noel Ramonet was very positive about his 2001s, calling them "more concentrated, better balanced, denser and more age worthy than our 2000s. They have better acidity and are not far behind the �99s in terms of when they should be consumed." As is usually the case in February, the grands crus were on their fining materials for a scheduled March bottling and thus not available for review; however, I did follow up with Ramonet to taste his 2000 big boys from bottle and they are reviewed below. Also, fans of the Domaine will notice the presence of a new wine, the Puligny "Enseigneres", which was purchased in 1991 but rented out as part of the purchase agreement. In total, Domaine Ramonet now exploits fully 16 ha, all of it owned outright. Diageo Chateau and Estate, New York, NY).

Noel Ramonet was very positive about his 2001s, calling them "more concentrated, better balanced, denser and more age worthy than our 2000s. They have better acidity and are not far behind the �99s in terms of when they should be consumed." As is usually the case in February, the grands crus were on their fining materials for a scheduled March bottling and thus not available for review; however, I did follow up with Ramonet to taste his 2000 big boys from bottle and they are reviewed below. Also, fans of the Domaine will notice the presence of a new wine, the Puligny "Enseigneres", which was purchased in 1991 but rented out as part of the purchase agreement. In total, Domaine Ramonet now exploits fully 16 ha, all of it owned outright. Diageo Chateau and Estate, New York, NY).

Noel Ramonet maintains that the young 2001s have more of every important component than the 2000s: higher sugars and acids, and more concentration due to the low crop level. It a vintage with finesse and suppleness," he says, "full and fine, with lots of aromatic interest and nothing fragile about it. Drink the 2000s first, then the 2001s and then the 1999s."

Noel Ramonet maintains that the young 2001s have more of every important component than the 2000s: higher sugars and acids, and more concentration due to the low crop level. It a vintage with finesse and suppleness," he says, "full and fine, with lots of aromatic interest and nothing fragile about it. Drink the 2000s first, then the 2001s and then the 1999s."

Noel Ramonet prefers 1999 to 2000 for its length, finesse and vivacity, although he admitted that the generally lower level of acidity in 2000 may have favored what he described as "fruit-driven" crus like Chassagne-Montrachet Chaumees, Vergers and Chenevottes. He also told me that wines from Puligny, including the grand crus, come across as fresher than those from Chassagne in 2000. Ramonet carries out a long fermentation at 18oC; he does not decant his wines before they go into barrel but does very little lees stirring, beleiving that batonnage "standardizes the wines." Most of the 2000s finished their malolactic fermentations in early May, but the wines were showing very well when I visited, with the grand crus especially promising. The Ramonets recently finished a major cellar expansion, including an air-conditioned bottle-storage area.

Noel Ramonet prefers 1999 to 2000 for its length, finesse and vivacity, although he admitted that the generally lower level of acidity in 2000 may have favored what he described as "fruit-driven" crus like Chassagne-Montrachet Chaumees, Vergers and Chenevottes. He also told me that wines from Puligny, including the grand crus, come across as fresher than those from Chassagne in 2000. Ramonet carries out a long fermentation at 18oC; he does not decant his wines before they go into barrel but does very little lees stirring, beleiving that batonnage "standardizes the wines." Most of the 2000s finished their malolactic fermentations in early May, but the wines were showing very well when I visited, with the grand crus especially promising. The Ramonets recently finished a major cellar expansion, including an air-conditioned bottle-storage area.