Background information

  • In vintage 1996: no information about batonnage.
  • In vintage 2003: almost no batonnage
  • In vintage 2004: normal batonnage regimen (frequency and length not disclosed)
  • In vintage 2007: current free SO2 target is 30 ppm (not clear when this change began)
  • Per Steve Tanzer Sept 2016: “Richard Fontaine assured me that 2008 was the last vintage here to show problems with premature oxidation, noting that he is now using higher-quality corks.”

Wines

  • Batard Montrachet (8 June 2008) totally oxidized and undrinkable from a bottle that looked beautiful [Alan Weinberg with Jerry Hey and Fred Corbalis]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(22 Mar 2007): not oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet (30 Jul 2008): partially oxidized, but hanging on [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet (23 Feb 2008): not oxidized. The aromas were a bit funky at first, but it developed very nicely. [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(Feb 2009): not oxidized, but hazy yellow color and smelled like a yeast infection; aromas got much better with time – odd [Don Cornwell]
  • Chassagne Les Boudriottes(30 Dec 2006): not oxidized, quite ripe, very good [Heinrich Steininger]
  • Chassagne Les Boudriottes(07 Jan 2006): not oxidised [S Grant]
  • Chassagne Les Caillerets(1 Sep Dec 2006): not oxidized, elegant, yound [Heinrich Steininger]
  • Montrachet(23 Jun 2009): completely oxidized from a pristine bottle with very high fill [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet (8 Mar 2011): completely oxidized again. See 95-2000 Retrospective Notes. [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots-Batard-Montrachet (2005): (5 bottles) no oxidation problems [Dan Bailey]
  • Batard Montrachet(28 Feb 2007): By consensus, partially oxidized but still marginally outstanding. See related tasting notes. [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(1 Mar 2007): Tasted from a different batch as a followup to 1999 oxidation check tasting. This time not oxidized and excellent [Michael Zadikian]
  • Batard Montrachet(6 May 2009): not oxidized, but mature and fading fast. Drink up [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(22 Jun 2009): not oxidized, close to mature [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(2 Jul 2009): very youthful, including yellow-green color; excellent [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(27 Nov 2009): oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(20 Feb 2010): completely oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrafchet(27 Apr 2010): not oxidized, but not as good as prior bottles [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(4 May 2010): not oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(4 Jan 2011): not oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(29 July 2011): completely oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots-Batard-Montrachet(Jun & Nov 2005): fairly oxidised, drinkable but fading, tasted twice [JE Simond]
  • Criots-Batard-Montrachet(Jan 2006): not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Criots-Batard-Montrachet(April 2006): This one was not oxidised : Very rich, lot of depth, quite mature but much more to come [JE Simond]
  • Criots-Batard-Montrachet(May 2007): not oxidised but instead very reductive (rubber, coal), so young ?[René Gleissner]
  • Chassagne Vergers(April 2006): rich, powerful, impressive finesse and length. Still young, great wine [JE Simond]
  • Montrachet(17 May 2010): not oxidized and a truly fabulous bottle. The best F-G wine I've ever had. [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet (8 Mar 2011): Completely oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(5 Feb 2008): not oxidized. See 2000 tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(8 Aug 2009 and 12 Oct 2010): Not oxidized. Impressive. Second bottle was mature in Oct 2010, but no signs of cracking up. [David Honig]
  • Batard Montrachet(Sep 2009): Two bottles, neither oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(Dec 2009) : not oxidized , Impressive indeed [Herwig Janssen]
  • Batard Montrachet(22 Feb 2010): not oxidized, very nice. [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet (26 April 2014): not oxidized, good but not great [Stephan Bauer]
  • Criots-Batard-Montrachet(Nov 2005) : not oxidised, ripe and forward. Excellent [JE Simond]
  • Montrachet(07 Jul 2005): not oxidized, quite lovely and very youthful [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(26 Feb 2008): not oxidized but disappointing. See 2000 tasting notes [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(22 Feb 2010): not oxidized, close to mature and truly excellent [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(21 Mar 2010): not oxidized, seemingly mature with amazing viscosity and texture [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(18 May 2010): not oxidized and another excellent bottle [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(26 Sep 2010): not oxidized, more mature than prior bottles [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet (8 March 2011): Rich, almost cloying, and very advanced. See 95-2000 Retrospective Notes. [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(11 Feb 2009): not oxidized, but clearly advanced See 2001 Tasting Notes, Part II [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard-Montrachet (16 June 2012): Deepish gold; bruised apple notes; clearly poxed and well on downslope. [Ken Lamb]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(2005-07): 5 out of 6 excellent. One (the last, September 2007) oxidised to buggery [D Lester]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(October 2007): excellent; no sign of oxidation [B. Delancy]
  • Montrachet (10 Mar 2009): not oxidized. Nice wine. See 2001 Tasting Notes, Part III [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(7 Aug 2007): Not oxidized, very youthful and backward for Batard [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(July 2008) Not oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Batard Montrachet(3 Jun 2009): youthful and brilliant [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(23 Jun 2009): another excellent bottle [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(July 2009): Much more advanced than we would have thought, very concerning [T De Waen]
  • Batard Montrachet(12 Feb 2010): not oxidized, but notably more advanced than the last three bottles [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(18 Feb 2010): not oxidized and brilliant. (From a colder cellar than my own). See 2002 Tasting Notes, Night Two [Don Cornwell]
  • Batard Montrachet(12 Mar 2010): partially oxidized but drinkable. [Don Cornwell}
  • Batard Montrachet(21 April 2010): not oxidised, absolutely wonderful but overshadowed by the near perfect Monty. [Stephen Williams]
  • Batard Montrachet (April 2010 and December 2010): two magnums; not oxidized; stunningly good. [David Honig]
  • Batard Montrachet(5 Feb 2011): not oxidized and excellent [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(Jul 2005): not oxidised, bleached cork [WK Choy]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(July 2008) Not oxidised. [WK Choy]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(August 2008) Oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(July-Oct 2009): four bottles, none oxidized but substantially varying levels of maturity; drink now. [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet(18 Feb 2010): partially oxidized but still drinkable. See 2002 Tasting Notes, Night One [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet (16 June 2012): Oxidised; completely undrinkable. [Ken Lamb]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet (Aug 2012): Oxidized. An earlier bottle (March 2010) from the same source was subtly impaired, but there was no subtlety here. [David Honig]
  • Criots-Batard Montrachet (October 2012): Tried another bottle (see June note above). Light brown/deep gold, dull color. Again badly oxidised and undrinkable. [Ken Lamb]
  • Chassagne Chenevottes(July 2008): 2 bottles, none oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Chenevottes(March 2009): not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Chenevottes(Oct 2009): not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Grande Montagne(Dec 2007): not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Grande Montagne(June 2008): not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Grande Montagne (July 2008) not oxidised [Cam Wheeler]
  • Chassagne Grande Montagne(March 2010): not oxidized; youthful [David Honig]
  • Chassagne Maltroie(Dec 2008): 2 bottles, not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Vergers(March 31, 2006): not oxidized, very ripe and full, excellent [B Delancy]
  • Chassagne Vergers(April 2008): not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Vergers(June 2009): 2 bottles, not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne Vergers(Sept 2009): not oxidised [P Cohen-Tanugi]
  • Chassagne La Romanée(24 Mar 2008): not oxidised, muted nose, not really singing today [J.P. Remon]
  • Montrachet(Apr 2007): fresh and full, not oxidised, great wine [MLee]
  • Montrachet(July 2009): 2 bottles not oxidised, 1 bottle oxidised [WK Choy]
  • Montrachet(4 Mar 2010): very advanced and quickly oxidized in the glass. Very disappointing for what's supposed to be tied for wine of the vintage. See 2002 Tasting Notes Night Three [Don Cornwell]
  • Montrachet(21 April 2010): not oxidised and brilliant. One the best '02s I've had [Stephen Williams]
  • Montrachet (15 May 2011): advanced but not yet oxidized [Don Cornwell]
  • Criots Batard Montrachet (Oct 2010): not oxidized. Nice. [Bill Lawrence]
  • Chassagne Clos de Murees(March 2006): not oxidized, very fresh and forward [Mike Klein]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets(November 2010): not oxidized (Hooray!), mid-weight, classic C-M aroma and flavor [Ralph Earle]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets(January 2011): DOA (same lot as above) [Ralph Earle]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets(Oct 2011): 2 bottles, not oxidized, excellent [Bill Lawrence]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Vergers (April 2013): Badly oxidized [David Yoshida]
  • Chassagne Montrachet La Boudriotte, (Apirl 2012) oxidised [Anthony Hall]
  • Montrachet(July 2011): Advanced, partially oxidized, just barely drinkable. [Paul Hanna]
  • Montrachet (June 2013): Oxidized. A shame. [Dennis Attick]
  • Batard Montrachet (August 2011): Pretty much fully oxidized. [Paul Hanna]
  • Batard Montrachet (2012): Five bottles over the course of years; two fresh, weighty but mineral core; three in various stages of early maturity and dramatically different from the other two. [Ken Lamb]
  • Batard Montrachet (10 June 2017): Totally shot. [Nathan V.]
  • Chassagne Montrachet (May 2012): not oxidized; excellent bottle [Ben Delancy]
  • Chassagne Montrachet (Feb 2013): not oxidized; excellent bottle [Ben Delancy]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets (Dec 2011): oxidized [Ben Delancy]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets ( Dec 2015) nose is clean, taste is mildly oxidised, strange![b.henry]
  • Chassagne Montrachet Les Vergers (Oct 2013): almost completely oxidized [Stephan Bauer]
  • Criots Batard Montrachet(December, 2010): Two bottles, both in early stages of premature oxidation [Sam Chafe]
  • Criots Batard Montrachet (May, 2012): Early stages of premature oxidation [Anthony Hall]
  • Montrachet (Dec 2012) Not oxidised, not advanced, very good. [Don Osborne]
  • Chassagne La Romanée (Feb 2012) Premoxed. Not undrinkable but seriously advanced and not pleasant. [Cam Wheeler]


  • Montrachet (October 2011): oxidised, tasted against it's “twin” Blain Gagnard Montrachet which was perfect. [Anthony Hall]
  • Montrachet (May 2012): Second bottle ok. [Anthony Hall]
  • Chassagne Montrachet Les Vergers (Oct 2013): ok, but shows signs, which could be the start of oxidation [Stephan Bauer]


  • Chassagne Montrachet La Romanée (July 2012): Not oxidised, racy and singing. [Ken Lamb]
  • Criots Batard Montrachet (April 2016) no pre mox, deep gold color, very sulphury[ b.henry]


  • Criots Batard Montrachet (August 2011) Not Oxidized, excellent wine. [Leah Amir]
  • Batard Montrachet (June 2014) Partially oxidized already - barely drinkable [Thomas De Waen]
  • Chassagne Montrachet Les Vergers ( Dec 2016) no pre mox, lovely nose, tart, unbalanced finish [b.henry]


  • Chassagne Montrachet Clos des Mures (June 2016): Not oxidized. [Adrian Latimer]
  • Chassagne Montrachet Les Vergers (August 2016) Advanced color, oxidised nose, drinkable with effort. [Mal Murphy]
  • Chassagne La Romanée (August 7 2017) Not oxidized. Beautiful complexity with slightly bitter finish [Joel Singer]
  • Chassagne La Romanée (March 2019) Not oxidized. Amazing, lean and mineral with beautiful balance [Joel Singer]


  • Batard Montrachet (September 2016): Advanced color, very advanced, not worth drinking. [Martin Ive]
  • Criots Batard Montrachet (Nov 2019): Fresh bottle, no premox. Just got lucky. [Jammy Wine]
  • Criots Batard Montrachet (Mar 2020): Premox. [Jammy Wine]
  • Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets (June 2020) Perfect bottle. Pale yellow, initially spicy with good acidity, pineapple notes emerged with time in the glass. [Joel Singer]
  • fontaine_gagnard.txt
  • Last modified: 2020/06/15 19:37
  • by joelsinger