Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet
Grand Cru

RegionCôte de Beaune
VillageChassagne-Montrachet
AppellationCriots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
Grape varietyChardonnay

The Vine

Average vine age 35 years
SoilGravel and limestone.
Average yield35 hl/ha
HarvestHand picked

Wine tips

Cellaring Potential10-15 years
Serving temperature 12-14°

Description

The appellation Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet was created in 1937, the name "criots" comes from "chalk / stone" of the vineyard.
This vineyard of 1.57 hectares is one of the smallest appellations in France, producing only a small quantity of its rare wine every year. At an altitude of around 240m, a little lower than its Grands Crus neighbours Chevalier-Montrachet and Montrachet, it is the only one of the 4 Grands Crus in the South of Côte de Beaune that is situated entirely in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet.
Made exclusively from Chardonnay, this vineyard benefits from an easterly exposure which guarantees maximum ripeness of the grapes. The soil is made of gravel and is relatively well-drained. It is based on the Bathonian limestone with outcrops of mixed clays.

Vinification & Ageing

Fermentation
Traditional in oak barrels with complete malolactic fermentation
Ageing
8 to 10 months ageing in oak barrels, 100% new
Barrels
Louis Latour cooperage, French oak, medium toasted

Wine tasting

Tasting Note
Pale gold, the Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 has a very expressive nose, with hints of brioche and aromas of white peach and coconut. Much freshness and finesse on the palate. This is a well-balanced wine with delicate oak. A very nice wine for ageing.
Food Pairing
Pan-fried sea scallops - saffroned monkfish - lobster thermidor.

Press review

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 - Wine Spectator - June 2013 - 94/100
Criots-Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 - Burghound.com - June 2012 - 90-93/100

Press review

Criots-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 - Burghound.com - 92/100 pts
A ripe and vaguely exotic nose features notes of both white
and yellow peach, passion fruit and discreet floral wisps.
The delicious and solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors
possess a seductive mid-palate texture before concluding in a
powerful and focused finish that offers good length.
2028+
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2018 - Burghound.com - Allen Meadows - June 2020 - 91-93/100
A deft application of wood frames the mildly exotic aromas of white and yellow orchard fruit where hints of white peach, apricot, passion fruit and mandarin orange can be found. The middle weight flavors are rich to the point of being lush thanks to the copious amount of dry extract that coats the palate on the sneaky long finale where touches of warmth and bitter lemon rind emerge.
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2018 - Bill Nanson - January 2020 - "Complexity"
Hmm - this has mouth-filling volume and freshness plus energy. (...) Lots of middle and finishing complexity. There's power in this finish but it's never heavy - this reminds Charles of his 2010 which looks back on with 'fondness.'
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017 - Burghound. com - USA - June 2019 - 90/100
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2017 - Wine Spectator - June 2019 - 93/100
A plump style, boasting pineapple, lemon, butter, spice and stone aromas and flavors. Offers fine acidity and settles into a lingering finish, with echoes of butterscotch and spice. (Bruce Sanderson, USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2016 - Wine Spectator - October 2018 - 92/100
This white shows some heft and what feels like urgency to the peach, melon, butterscotch and toast flavors. The driving acidity persists through the lingering finish.
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2016 - Burghound.com - June 2018 - 92/100A whiff of the exotic can be found on the white peach, apricot, and lychee nutscented nose. Exceptionally rich and opulently texured..
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2015 - Burghound.com - June 2017 - 90-92/100 A notably ripe and ever-so-mildly exotic but not really surmature nose consists primarily of spicy white orchard fruit along with a vague hint of viognier-like nuances. The rich and vibrant yet almost easy medium-bodied flavors possess lovely complexity though not the concentration of the best of these grands crus while offering solid if not exceptional length on the bitter lemon-inflected, dry and clean finish. (90-92)/2022+
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2015 - Tim Atkin - January 2017 - 95/100
One of a number of impressive Grand Cru whites from Louis Latour in 2015, this comes from a 1.57-hectare parcel that the négociant buys grapes from. It's a fresh, nuanced, elegant Chardonnay, with flavours of honeysuckle and pink grapefruit and chalky acidity. 2018-26 (UK)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 - Wine Spectator - November 2016 - 94/100
Smooth, almost oily, this peach-, lemon-, spice- and citronella-flavored white builds on the palate to a lingering finish. Bright and focused, with a lemon- and spice-tinged aftertaste. The long finish shows potential. Best from 2018 through 2025. By Bruce Sanderson (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 - Robert Parker - September 2016 - 91/100
The 2014 Criots Bâtard Montrachet has a simple citrus peel nose that is calling out for more mineralité, something that nails it down as a grand Cru. The palate is balanced on the entry with a keen line of acidity. (...). This is a commendable white 2014 from Louis Latour. Drink: 2016 - 2026 (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 - Wine Enthusiast - October 2016 - 95/100 - Cellar Selection
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 - Burghound.com - June 2016 - 93/100
An overtly ripe and ever-so-mildly exotic nose willingly offers up a hint of honeysuckle on the dense and well-layered nose that combines with white and yellow orchard fruit with those of spice and petrol nuances. There is once again excellent volume to the muscular and concentrated large-scaled flavors that coat the palate with sap on the tension and citrusy finale. This is finer and racier than usual though this too will require extended bottle aging to realize its full potential.
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 - Tim Atkin - February 2016 - 96/100
An excellent expression of this Chassagne-Montrachet Grand Cru, sourced from a 1.57 hectare parcel. Smoky, struck match aromas lead into a palate that is focused and well balanced, showing flavours of honeysuckle, lemongrass and citrus fruit and harmonious oak. 2019-30
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 - Burgundy Report - January 2016 - "Simply a great wine"
Deeply layered and complex nose - I don't need to drink this, sniffing is just fine. Large in the mouth (...) there is weight that is alloyed to fresh, almost infinite complexity. Simply a great wine - beautifully finishing. (cask sample) By Bill Nanson (UK)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 - The World of Fine Wine - 2015 - 16,5/20Sweet, juicy, apricot nose, showing more fruit than minerality. Rich, broad, and full-bodied, even a touch heavy. This has good fruit but lacks flair. Fairly long, toasty finish.
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 - Tim Atkin - January 2015 - 93/100 (UK)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2012 - Burghound.com - June 2014 - 94/100(Cask Sample) (...) There is excellent concentration, power and volume to the delicious and intense medium-bodied flavors that are finer than those of the Corton-Charlemagne that conclude in an almost painfully intense, balanced and lingering finish where a touch of wood surfaces. This should be quite good once it has a chance to harmonize. 2020+ By Allen Meadows (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 - Wine Enthusiast - October 2014 - 94/100This very mineral wine comes from the Grand Cru that is situated in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet. That gives it weight and power as well as a textured character. It's tight, packed with citrus as much as yellow fruits, and needing many years to age. Drink from 2018. Online Exclusive (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet 2011 - Burghound.com - Allen Meadows (USA) - June 2013 - 92/100A markedly ripe though not overtly exotic nose offers up notes of resin, pear, dried peach and apricot aromas. There is wonderful intensity to the medium weight plus flavors that exude an abundance of dry extract on the impressively long, powerful and palate coating finish. This is a big but not heavy effort that should age well over the next 6 to 9 years. 2017+
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 - Wine Spectator - June 2013 - 94/100This lush white leads off with baking spices, then unfolds with layers of honey, peach and grapefruit. Balanced and juicy, featuring a long aftertaste that turns more elegant on the gracefully fading inish. Drink now through 2030. (USA)
Criots-Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 - Burghound.com - June 2012 - 90-93/100As one would typically expect, this is the ripest wine in the range with a soft application of wood setting off spicy yellow orchard fruit aromas that border on the exotic. There is impressive density to the muscular and powerful flavors that display a very rich and round palate impression before terminating in a mouth coating and solidly long finish. 2017+. By Allen Meadows (USA).
Criots-Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 - Wine Enthusiast - October 2011 - 93/100So elegant, soft, ripe and generous. The initial take is that it is open in character. Then the more taut, nervy, apple skin and toast flavors come into the balance to give a wine with considerable aging potential. (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 - Burghound.com - June 2011 - 93/100There is a distinct lactic note that presently dominates the nose and I would strongly suggest decanting this if you're going to try one young. Otherwise the broad-shouldered flavors are lavishly rich, full-bodied and well-detailed with a taut muscularity on the deep, long and driving finish blessed with ample dry extract. This is impressively scaled and my note assumes that the nose will clean up as this bold and striking effort ages. 2017+. By Allen Meadows (USA).
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2008 - Wine Spectator - December 2010 - 90/100A lean, austere style, composed mainly of citrus and mineral, but expanding on the finish in a kaleidoscope of toast, butterscotch and spice flavors. Definitely needs time. Best from 2014 through 2030. By Bruce Sanderson (USA).
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2008 - Wine Enthusiast - November 2010 - 94/100Very tight in character, the texture steely and firm to top the strongly mineral texture. There is an exotic touch of pepper to go with the pear skin fruit flavors and the weighty structure. By Roger Voss (USA).
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2008- Jancis Robinson - 2010 - 17/20Very rich, stolid nose. Not much subtlety but lots of alcohol and much more ripeness than is customary in this vintage. Very solid and definitely grand cru weight. Drink 2013-2019. (UK)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2008 - Burghound.com - Issue 39 - July 2010 - 90-93/100A potent nose of very ripe yellow orchard fruit that displays mildly exotic undertones combines with ripe, rich, powerful and opulent broad-scaled flavors that possess an abundance of dry extract that really coats and stains the palate on the admirably long finish. As is often, if not always, the case, this is not particularly elegant but offers plenty of richness, muscle, concentration and an attractively fleshy generosity. 2016+. By Allen Meadows (USA).
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2007 - Burghound.com- July 2009- 93/100Moderate wood does not really interfere with the ripe, pretty and relatively elegant yellow orchard fruit and lemon rind aromas that are in keeping with the juicy and succulent big-bodied flavors that possess good richness and sappiness on the powerful, energetic and concentrated finish. A big wine with plenty of muscle. 2014+. By Allen Meadows (USA).
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet 2006, Le Magazine du Vin (Nov/Dec 2014): 100/100 - Best French white wine - Best Burgundy wine
Criots-Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru 2006 - Wine Spectator - 2009 - 91/100Fresh, round and smooth, offering lemon custard, floral and peach aromas and flavors, accented by spice. The mineral shows up on the lingering finish. Tasty, if a touch hot. Best from 2011 through 2020. (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2006 - Wine Advocate- December 31st 2008- 90-91/100Latour's 2006 Criot-Batard-Montrachet displays a Chenin-like emphasis on quince, along with gardenia and brown spices. A flattering creaminess and subtle oiliness of texture characterize this wine's sultry, plush palate, and its sense of enveloping richness extends to a long, soothing finish. I am sure that this will keep well for at least half a dozen years, but there does not seem to be any reason to wait. (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2005 - Burghound.com - July 2007 - 92/100Compared to the opulence of the typical Criots, this is discreet to the point of being subtle but the aromatic breadth here is really quite impressive and is set of by a deft touch of wood and hints of anise and clove that can also be found on the rich, full and powerful flavors that possess plenty of mid-palate fat and dry extract yet the finish is clean, pure and well balanced. Often wines this big and ripe come across as heavy but this one isn't. 2013+. By Allen Meadows (USA).
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2004 - Wine Enthusiast - November 2006 - 95/100Floats on the palate with a smooth silky texture, wood and white peaches contribute. (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2002 - Wine Advocate - February 26th, 2004 - 92-94/100Toasted minerals drenched in honey can be found in the nose of this 2002 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. This opulent, creamy, medium to full-bodied wine is a broad and intensely flavorful. Big, plush layers of oaky minerals, pears, and apples are found in its powerful, concentrated core of fruit. Projected maturity : 2007-2014. (USA)
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2000 - Wine Advocate - 90-92/100An apple and red fruit sauce nose introduces the Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet 2000. Then follows in your mouth a medium-bodied wine, rich and ripe, very round and fleshy, as much silky as suave, dominated by white and yellow fruit. To drink in the next 12 years. (USA)
1999 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru - The Wine Advocate - February 2001 - 88-89 points : The toasted mineral-scented 1999 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet is medium-bodied, bright and juicy. Spices, pears, apples, and white/red berries make up this wine's flavor profile. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2008.
1997 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru - Wine Advocate - June 21st, 1999 - 91-93 points : Aromatically, the 1997 Criots-Batard-Montrachet is austere and scented with salty minerals. It is exceedingly well focused for a 97, medium-to-full-bodied, and crammed with gravel, chalk, sun-baked rocks, and dried earth like flavors. This wine, like many Criots, doesn't quite fulfill the taster's hedonistic needs, yet is complex, defined, and intellectual. It should be at his best between 2002 and 2008.
1995 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet - French Guide Hachette 1996 : All that glitters, isn't gold. However, here is proof to the contrary. This is liquid gold and it glitters. The bouquet is elegant, austere and quite vegetal for a wine still in its infancy. The palate is encouragingly pleasing and full-bodied with each element in the wine complementing the other perfectly. One does not easily forget the " Coup de Coeur " that this wine was awarded for the 1993 vintage that featured in Le Guide Hachette 1996.