# Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru (2021)

- **Producer:** Lucien Le Moine
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €6750
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apricot, peach, lemon, grapefruit, cloves, pastry, vanilla, cedar, butter, biscuit, honey, dried apricot, almond, hazelnut

## About this wine

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru from Lucien Le Moine is a white wine from the esteemed appellation within Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy. The producer, Lucien Le Moine, is a micro-négociant founded by Mounir and Rotem Saouma, known for their dedication to sourcing grapes from top-tier vineyards with old vines. Their philosophy emphasizes purity and the precise expression of terroir. The Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet vineyard itself is a small, highly regarded site, contributing to the wine's distinctiveness. The 2021 vintage faced challenging climatic conditions, requiring careful winemaking to showcase the vintage's character.

## Interesting facts

- Vines for this wine are nearly 100 years old.
- Lucien Le Moine limits production to 100 barrels annually.
- This appellation is one of the smallest in Burgundy.
- The wine is the 4th most highly rated of its appellation by critics.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and richness can stand up to opulent dishes. Its balanced acidity cuts through the richness of cream sauces and fatty proteins, while its subtle minerality complements the delicate flavors of seafood and poultry.

## Wine making process

Lucien Le Moine's winemaking for Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru involves sourcing grapes from old vines. The vinification process emphasizes minimal intervention, with no fining or filtering. Fermentation occurs in 100% new oak, followed by an extended aging period of 18-24 months on the lees. This extended lees contact is a key technique used to build complexity and texture in the wine.