2017 Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet et Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Combes Au Sud (750ml)

Allen Meadows - Burghound

A whisper of matchstick character can be found on the more complex nose of lemon zest, apple and acacia blossom. There is a better energy to the lightly stony medium weight flavors that also possess a bit better depth on the ever-so-mildly warm finale.

Brothers Benoit and Jean-Baptiste Bachelet called 2017 "a vintage where we had much better yields though they were still far from high as the chardonnay came in at 45 hl/ha on average though the pinot was no more than 30 hl/ha. We picked a few parcels on the 30th of August but then began seriously on the 2nd of September. Harvest conditions were favorable and because the fruit was so clean we were able to harvest everything by the 7th. Sugar levels were also good as they equated to a range of 13 to 13.5%. As to the wines, both colors are classic burgundies with good transparencies and freshness though perhaps their best attribute is the balance which should enable them to age gracefully." I found the quality of the Bachelet whites to be moderately better than what I found generally in the Côte de Beaune in 2017. (6/2019)