Domaine Etienne Sauzet is arguably one of Puligny Montrachet’s finest estates. Established in the 1920s, the domaine is run by the fourth generation of the Sauzet family, Emilie (the great-great-granddaughter of Etienne) and her winemaker husband Benoît Riffault, a native of Sancerre. Together they own 10 hectares in Puligny-Montrachet and have recently acquired five hectares in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune around the villages of Orches and Nolay, just beyond Saint-Romain and Saint-Aubin. Domaine Etienne Sauzet also purchases grapes from other family members and trusted growers. The estate has been practising biodynamic viticulture since 2009 and has recently reduced their use of new oak to allow the elegance of their fruit to shine through.
Benoît’s immaculate winemaking approach is evident in the wines of Domaine Etienne Sauzet, which are all defined by minerality, precision and exceptional length. The Aligoté is fermented and aged for 18 months in amphora-esque ‘grès’ sandstone vats and demonstrates why this historically overlooked variety deserves attention. The Bourgogne ‘La Tuféra’ punches well above its classification and is sourced from four parcels in Puligny-Montrachet with an average vine age of 50 years old. The resulting wine displays bright fruit intensity, aromas of white flowers and lovely acidity. The fruit for the Hautes Côtes de Beaune ‘Jardin du Calvaire’, a wine exclusive to Liberty Wines, comes from a vineyard planted at an elevation of 450 metres at the end of a steep path called ‘la route du Calvaire’ (‘the Calvary route’, an indication of its steepness). The resulting wine is defined by an elegant and refined style, with great tension and length on the palate.
The Etienne Sauzet Pulignys are a masterclass in elegance and complexity, all demonstrating the signature lemony aromatics, marked minerality and linear acidity of this famed village. Volumes are limited – please speak to your account manager regarding allocations.
This wine is made from three parcels grown in the village of Puligny-Montrachet and is made from 100% Chardonnay. The soil is a mixture of clay and chalk. The guyot-trained vines face south-east and are on average 50 years old. The domaine has been practising biodynamic viticulture since 2008.
The 2023 vintage in Burgundy was plentiful, with yields some of the largest in the last seven years. The two key challenges were: keeping yields in check, which was achieved by vigorous green harvesting; and preserving acidity during an intense harvest – condensed into a shorter picking window for the whites, due to heat spikes at the end of August. The growing season began with a warm and dry winter, followed by a relatively rainy March. Budbreak was slightly delayed until early April which meant the Côte d’Or escaped frost. The spring months were sunny but relatively cool, providing perfect conditions for even flowering. This, together with sunny conditions and regular showers during the summer, meant that the vines flourished. Temperatures were cooler than usual in July and early August, and the grapes underwent a perfectly paced slow ripening. A spike in temperatures at the end of August accelerated the ripening and harvest began in early September.
The grapes were pressed using a pneumatic press, which is gentle, controlled and minimises the extraction of astringent phenolics. Fermentation took place in 350L old barrels to add complexity and texture. The wine was aged for 12-15 months in old French oak barrels, followed by a further spell in stainless-steel vats to settle before bottling.
An intensely aromatic wine, boasting magnificent citrus, white peach and white flower notes. On the palate, a good balance of acidity and saturated fruit flavours.
