There are few domaines that have such good holdings in Puligny-Montrachet, or are as highly-regarded in the village, as Etienne Sauzet. The domaine was founded in the 1920s by the eponymous Etienne, and it quickly acquired its elevated reputation. Etienne died in 1975, and his son-in-law Gerard Boudot took over. Things changed again in 1991, when the domaine was split between Etienne’s three grandchildren, with JM Boillot taking his share of the vineyards elsewhere. By the early 2000s, the domaine had settled into its current form, managed by Gerard’s daughter Emilie and her husband Benoit Riffault, who handles the winemaking. (Benoit is originally from Sancerre, and he is the brother of highly regarded Sancerre producer Stephane Riffault at domaine Claude Riffault).
Sauzet went organic in 2006 and biodynamic in 2010 (certified in 2013). Domaine fruit is supplemented with some purchased fruit from choice vineyards. The wines are fermented in oak, then racked into tank before the next harvest, and spend a further six months on the lees. Premier crus see 20-30 per cent new oak. The wines of Sauzet are elegant and intense expressions of Puligny, sometimes opulent, often with a judicious touch of reduction, and they do not stay on our shelves or lists for long. (NT 09/04/26)
