The Chardonnay industry moves more quickly than ever, with more choices available from more places than ever before. But there is still one estate that is an anchor of meaning. Domaine Etienne Sauzet a nexus of beauty that unites old with new and reminds us of the inexhaustible beauty of tradition. Sounds flamboyant? Well, yes, but that’s because Etienne Sauzet has been producing some of the best Chardonnays in Burgundy since 1903.

An estate which dates back over 100-years is something of a rarity in Burgundy, particularly so in Puligny-Montrachet, so maintaining Etienne Sauzet’s 15-hectare family legacy is a tall order for estate manager (and Etienne’s grandson-in-law) Gerard Bourdot. However, he leads his team with superb precision, reflected in his wines, to the point that influential American wine critic Robert Parker has become a fan. Says Parker, “this is one of the most serious estates in Burgundy. The wines are usually among the very best made ...They are textbook white Burgundies, brimming with flavour, yet elegant and well- balanced.” Unsurprisingly then, considering the previous comments, Sauzet’s Chardonnay is phenomenally popular in the USA (although the Asian market is beginning to get the edge).

The domaine produces four Grands and nine Premieres Crus (plus two villages and two regional appellations) in maddeningly minute quantities. Although all are among the very best Chardonnays of the region, serious investors should look at the Chevalier and Batard-Montrachet when considering augmenting their portfolio. Market data shows an impressive year on year increase; with starting prices for the superb Chevalier 2017 at €600 a bottle, it would be wise to obtain this sooner rather than later. Ditto for the Batard-Montrachet; just 3,500 bottles of this nectar are produced annually, and the price has been rising over the past two years. In March 2018 the average price was €800, up 28% in 24 months and surpassing the benchmark for Montrachet. Evidently, prices soar as availability drops, coinciding with wines’ peak as seen with 2010’s Montrachet Grand Cru with an aggregated score of 94 and anticipated maturity 2018-2025. Prices jumped nearly 50% while availability dropped (over 50%) between March 2017 to February 2019.