2018 Bernard Moreau Batard Montrachet Grand Cru

The 2018 Bernard Moreau Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is a commanding yet finely detailed expression of one of Burgundy’s most celebrated white wine terroirs. Crafted entirely from Chardonnay and raised in 100% new French oak, it balances generous richness with precise, vibrant structure. This cuvée showcases the domaine’s meticulous approach and the timeless grandeur of Bâtard-Montrachet in a ripe but beautifully composed vintage.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the wine shows a luminous, pale gold hue with green reflections, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose is exquisitely layered and ultra-floral, with acacia blossom, white rose and honeysuckle wrapped around ripe white stone fruits—think white peach and nectarine—alongside citrus oils, lemon curd and a touch of pear. Subtle notes of fresh pastry, toasted hazelnut and a gentle hint of spice from the oak frame the fruit without overwhelming it. On the palate, this Bâtard-Montrachet is full-bodied, broad and impressively powerful, yet never heavy. Generous, deeply textured flavors of ripe apple, pear, citrus zest and stone fruit are underpinned by a firm spine of acidity that keeps everything in perfect balance. The mid-palate is creamy and layered, flowing into a long, focused, dry and impeccably clean finish with lingering notes of chalk, citrus and fine oak. Still youthful, it has the structure and intensity to evolve beautifully over the next 10–15 years or more, gaining further complexity, nuttiness and tertiary nuances with careful cellaring.

Production
The Chardonnay grapes for this Grand Cru are sourced from the prestigious Bâtard-Montrachet vineyard, rooted in brownish limestone and gravel soils that provide both excellent drainage and a strong mineral signature. These low-yielding vines, situated between the legendary villages of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, benefit from a classic Burgundian climate, with cool nights preserving acidity and sunny days helping the fruit achieve optimal ripeness. Harvesting is carried out with great care to protect the integrity of the grapes, which are then gently pressed to obtain a pure, fine must. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, with 10–30% new oak used during fermentation itself and indigenous yeasts guiding a slow, natural ferment. The wine is then aged for around 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, allowing it to gain texture, complexity and integration, while regular élevage decisions are tailored to preserve tension and clarity in this powerful terroir wine.

Food & Serving
This 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is a natural match for luxurious, richly flavored dishes. Think butter-poached lobster, scallops in a cream or beurre blanc sauce, turbot or sole with beurre blanc, or roasted poultry such as Bresse chicken with morel cream. It also shines with veal in delicate, creamy preparations and refined mushroom dishes, as well as aged hard cheeses like Comté, Beaufort or Gruyère. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F), allowing the wine to warm slightly in the glass to reveal its full aromatic range. Decanting for 30–60 minutes when young can help the oak integrate and the bouquet open up; alternatively, pour into large Burgundy stems and let it unfold slowly at the table.

Producer
Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils traces its origins back to Marcel Moreau, grandfather of the current generation, and has grown steadily to encompass around nine hectares of vines, with an additional five hectares farmed since 2005. Based in the historic village of Chassagne-Montrachet—where vineyards are divided into a mosaic of prized parcels such as those bordering Les Masures and the Puligny-Montrachet boundary—the estate has become a respected name for finely tuned, terroir-driven white Burgundy. In 2021, the domaine began a new chapter as the holdings are divided between brothers Alex and Benoît, with Alex remaining at the original estate and Benoît developing his own project, further extending the family’s influence in the region. Known for precise viticulture, sensitive use of oak and an emphasis on balance and purity, Bernard Moreau et Fils produces some of Chassagne’s most sought-after wines, with their Grand Cru holdings like Bâtard-Montrachet standing as benchmarks for the appellation.