Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

The Montrachet-family Grand Crus trace their medieval origins to the work of the Cistercian abbey of Maizières and the Lords of Chagny, with the wines coming fully into their own during the 17th century. Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet was created as the last of the white Grand Crus and was formerly part of Bâtard-Montrachet. The process of defining its borders began in 1921 during a legal dispute over use of the Montrachet name, and the appellation was formally recognised on 31 July 1937, with the Criots and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet decrees finalised on 13 June 1939. The name 'criots' derives from the local term for chalk or stone, reflecting the vineyard's stony, well-drained character.

• Medieval origins linked to the Cistercian abbey of Maizières and the Lords of Chagny
• Criots was formerly part of Bâtard-Montrachet before being formally delimited as a separate appellation in 1937 to 1939
• The name 'criots' is derived from a local term for chalk or stone, referencing the vineyard's stony soils
• The Gagnard family dynasty of Chassagne-Montrachet is central to the appellation's modern identity, with parcels descending through Blain-Gagnard and Fontaine-Gagnard

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet occupies a gently sloping site at 240 to 250 metres elevation within the commune of Chassagne-Montrachet, positioned just south of Bâtard-Montrachet and bordered to the west by the Premier Cru Blanchot Dessus. The vineyard benefits from easterly and southerly exposures. The underlying geology dates from the Jurassic period, approximately 175 million years ago, with brown limestone soils of moderate depth, well-drained gravel, and Bathonian limestone bedrock with outcrops of mixed clay. The terroir is broadly similar to Bâtard-Montrachet, sharing the same brown limestone soils with a little more depth and clay than the vineyards higher up the slope.

• Altitude of 240 to 250 metres with easterly and southerly exposures, slightly lower than Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet
• Soils are well-drained gravel and brown limestone over Bathonian limestone bedrock with mixed clay outcrops
• Underlying Jurassic geology approximately 175 million years old, shared across the Montrachet Grand Cru family
• Borders Bâtard-Montrachet to the north and Premier Cru Blanchot Dessus to the west, with village-level Chassagne-Montrachet vineyards to the south and east

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet produces exclusively white wine from 100% Chardonnay, as mandated by appellation rules. The wines are typically characterised by a rich, rounded palate, good body, and a pronounced chalky mineral thread that runs through from nose to finish. Aromas tend toward white and yellow orchard fruits, floral notes, and subtle spice, often with a mildly exotic character attributed to the vineyard's sheltered, amphitheatre-like shape. The appellation is generally considered slightly more delicate and refined than its larger neighbour Bâtard-Montrachet, with excellent aging potential.

• 100% Chardonnay, the only permitted variety under appellation rules
• Rich, rounded style with a chalky mineral character, white and yellow orchard fruit, and occasional exotic spice nuances
• Wines are generally considered more refined and less muscular than Bâtard-Montrachet, with a finer minerality
• Well-suited to mid to long-term aging, with the best examples rewarding a decade or more of cellaring

Given the appellation's tiny size, only a handful of producers bottle Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. The largest parcel belongs to Domaine Roger Belland at approximately 0.61 hectares. Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard holds approximately 0.33 hectares across three separate parcels, with winemaking led by Céline Fontaine since 2007. Domaine Blain-Gagnard, formed in 1980, holds approximately 0.21 hectares. Other confirmed parcel owners include Domaine Hubert Lamy (whose Olivier Lamy acquired their plot from the Perrot family in 2014 after farming it since 1955), Domaine d'Auvenay (Lalou Bize-Leroy), Caroline Morey, Bachelet-Ramonet, Maison Louis Latour, Maison Joseph Drouhin, and Prosper Maufoux.

• Domaine Roger Belland: largest single parcel holder at approximately 0.61 ha
• Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard: approximately 0.33 ha across three parcels, led by Céline Fontaine since 2007
• Domaine Blain-Gagnard: approximately 0.21 ha, formed in 1980 from Gagnard-Delagrange family holdings
• Domaine Hubert Lamy: small plot acquired outright in 2014, farmed since 1955; Domaine d'Auvenay (Lalou Bize-Leroy) holds a tiny but celebrated parcel of approximately 0.06 ha

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet carries Grand Cru AOC status under Burgundy wine regulations. The appellation permits only white wines from 100% Chardonnay. The base yield is set at 40 hectoliters per hectare, and the minimum potential alcohol at harvest is 11.5 percent. Labels must display the words 'Grand Cru' immediately below the appellation name in characters of identical size. It is one of five Grand Cru appellations in the Montrachet family, all located in the southern Côte de Beaune.

• Grand Cru AOC, producing commune Chassagne-Montrachet only; 100% Chardonnay white wines exclusively
• Base yield of 40 hl/ha; minimum potential alcohol of 11.5% at harvest
• Labels must carry 'Grand Cru' in type of equal size directly below the appellation name
• One of five Montrachet-family Grand Crus; the only one situated entirely within Chassagne-Montrachet

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet typically presents a gold color with emerald highlights. On the nose, expect white and yellow orchard fruits such as peach, pear, and apple, often alongside floral notes, subtle spice, and a characteristic chalky mineral quality. The palate is rich, round, and full-bodied with good concentration and dry extract. Critics have noted the appellation's mildly exotic character, attributed in part to its sheltered aspect. The wines age well, with the best examples continuing to develop complexity over ten or more years. Recommended serving temperature is 12 to 14 degrees Celsius.

• Color: gold with emerald highlights, deepening toward yellow with age
• Aromatics: white and yellow orchard fruit, chalky minerality, floral notes, subtle spice, and occasional exotic nuances
• Palate: rich, round, and full-bodied with good dry extract and a lingering mineral finish
• Aging: well-suited to medium to long-term cellaring; best examples reward ten or more years in bottle