Etienne Sauzet
About Etienne Sauzet
After inheriting some vines, Etienne Sauzet founded his eponymous domaine in the early part of the 20th century and established his domaine as one of the top producers of Puligny within a remarkably short span of time by Burgundian standards. With now son-in-law Benoît Riffault in charge of the winemaking, the wines continue to be some of the most sought-after whites from Puligny, thanks to their perfect concentration and energy.
Certified as biodynamic since 2013, the domaine’s winemaking style is to ferment in cask, giving the wines 12-month maturation on their lees, before transferring into stainless steel tanks where they remain on lees for a further 6 months prior to bottling. The domaine has followed this approach for many years, one which is increasingly popular as it allows both the richness of fruit to be enhanced and preserves the classic Puligny elegance and purity.
“The generic and village wines are elegant and stylish, while the 1er and Grands Crus are splendidly concentrated and opulent, yet beautifully proportioned and never overbearing. They are some of the most sought-after wines from Puligny and are models of intensity and balance.” – Jasper Morris MW
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(3x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (96-98)
The 2023 Montrachet Grand Cru showed a little more cloudiness in the glass due to the lees (of course, they will disappear once racked). Perhaps the nose is a little primal as a result—it's not as complete as the Bâtard or the Bienvenues. The palate is more indicative of where this Monty will be heading. It has intense, immense weight with an almost pixelated mineral-driven finish. This is going to be a great Montrachet, but it might take longer to reveal its true identity. Only six barrels were produced this year.Inc. VAT£3,431.16 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet unfurls in the glass with a superb bouquet of citrus oil, crisp green apple, wheat toast, freshly baked bread and mandarin, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and complete palate that's deep and layered, underpinned by incisive acids and concluding with a long, mineral finish. It's hard to choose between this and the more muscular, introverted Combottes, but both are worth a special effort to seek out.Inc. VAT£341.60 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Canet 1er Cru has an understated, slightly conservative bouquet that gradually unfolds with aeration: green apple, damp moss and crushed stone scents. Very appealing. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry with superb weight and depth counterbalanced by a citric line of acidity. Lightly spiced with hints of stem ginger, this fans out beautifully towards the finish. This showed potential from barrel and it seems to have exceeded that. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.Inc. VAT£166.13 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Canet 1er Cru has an understated, slightly conservative bouquet that gradually unfolds with aeration: green apple, damp moss and crushed stone scents. Very appealing. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry with superb weight and depth counterbalanced by a citric line of acidity. Lightly spiced with hints of stem ginger, this fans out beautifully towards the finish. This showed potential from barrel and it seems to have exceeded that. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.Inc. VAT£1,298.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
Subtle aromas of white peach, apple, spices and leesy hazelnut. Silkier and more elegant than the Hameau de Blagny, offering a lighter touch and more nervosité. A floral element adds lift. Finishes smooth and long, with subtle fruit intensity and very good cut.Inc. VAT£1,045.92 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)
A surprising degree of green to the colour. A light but fine bouquet, all quite discreet, then rather more fruit intensity on the palate, quite linear but not without a little flesh on the bones. Apples washed with lime. Fine and elegant finish. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted: October 2023.Inc. VAT£874.32 -
(1x75cl) 2016Burghound (94)
Vestiges of post-bottling sulfur don't completely mask the otherwise elegant citrus, white pear and acacia blossom aromas. The detailed, intense and concentrated medium weight plus flavors possess excellent drive on the refined, pure and strikingly long finish. As is often the case, this classy effort takes best in show for the Sauzet 1ers in 2016.Inc. VAT£226.92 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet les Combettes 1er Cru comes from a single parcel of vines that abuts the Meursault Charmes of Comtes Lafon over the border. It has a strict bouquet of well defined crushed stone aromas, hints of orange blossom surfacing with time in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced opening. Impressive weight in the mouth here. The pithy, stone fruit finish leaves a dash of ginger on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Les Combettes.Inc. VAT£1,734.72 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has a tightly wound bouquet, less expressive than the other cuvées, but a few swirls reveal intense mineral-driven malic fruit. Like the aromatics, the palate is beautifully defined and reminds me of Domaine Leflaive in style. The spiciness hits the back palate, hints of lemongrass linger in the mouth after this Les Combettes has departed. Classy but compact at the moment, so do not begrudge cellaring this for 3-5 years.Inc. VAT£1,779.49 -
(1x75cl) 2020Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes is excellent, offering up aromas of stone fruits, pear, pastry cream, white flowers and fresh croissants, followed by a full-bodied, rich and textural palate, with a broad attack that segues into a layered, multidimensional palate. Powerful and broad shouldered, but nicely balanced, this is a compelling wine from Sauzet.Inc. VAT£217.32 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes is excellent, offering up aromas of stone fruits, pear, pastry cream, white flowers and fresh croissants, followed by a full-bodied, rich and textural palate, with a broad attack that segues into a layered, multidimensional palate. Powerful and broad shouldered, but nicely balanced, this is a compelling wine from Sauzet.Inc. VAT£1,780.32 -
Burghound (93-95)
Sweet Spot Outstanding. Firm reduction completely overshadows the fruit. Otherwise, there is excellent volume to the seductively textured medium weight flavors that exude plenty of minerality that adds lift to the succulent, balanced and gorgeously persistent bitter lemon-tinged finish that goes on and on. This isn't quite as concentrated as the Folatières but it's finer and stunningly long. This may not be the best Sauzet Combettes ever but in time, it should be in the conversation, it's that good.Inc. VAT£224.52 -
(6x75cl) 2021Burghound (93-95)
Sweet Spot Outstanding. Firm reduction completely overshadows the fruit. Otherwise, there is excellent volume to the seductively textured medium weight flavors that exude plenty of minerality that adds lift to the succulent, balanced and gorgeously persistent bitter lemon-tinged finish that goes on and on. This isn't quite as concentrated as the Folatières but it's finer and stunningly long. This may not be the best Sauzet Combettes ever but in time, it should be in the conversation, it's that good.Inc. VAT£1,410.29 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has a clean, precise bouquet with wet limestone, Granny Smith apples, menthol and light sea spray scents that could only originate from this appellation. The palate is very well-balanced, one of the most powerful of Sauzet's Premier Crus. It possesses perhaps its spiciest and most texturally satisfying finishes that lingers long in the mouth. Excellent.Inc. VAT£1,475.52 -
(6x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (94-96)
The 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has another riveting bouquet with notes of white peach, orange pith and crushed limestone. It is intense but very elegant and delineated. The palate has exquisite balance and a little more rondeur compared to others. A touch more spiciness emerges toward the finish, with perhaps the longest aftertaste. This is superb.Inc. VAT£1,014.80 -
Inc. VAT£271.73 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2014 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru les Perrières has a terroir-driven, mineral-rich bouquet, flint and cold limestone. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry, good density here with a little more spiciness than Sauzet's other premier crus. There is an edginess here, tensile and animated with impressive weight on the finish. This is very fine and probably deserves 2-3 years in the cellar. This is one of the domaine's best premier crus in 2014.Inc. VAT£2,654.64 -
(6x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2014 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru les Perrières has a terroir-driven, mineral-rich bouquet, flint and cold limestone. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry, good density here with a little more spiciness than Sauzet's other premier crus. There is an edginess here, tensile and animated with impressive weight on the finish. This is very fine and probably deserves 2-3 years in the cellar. This is one of the domaine's best premier crus in 2014.Inc. VAT£1,532.22 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières did not quite display the panache of the enticing Les Referts, though it is redeemed by a subtle touch of aniseed, a leitmotif among several other whites within the Côte de Beaune. The palate is very well balanced with a fine thread of acidity, crisp and taut, perhaps less showy and complex than the Les Referts, although there is plenty of freshness on the finish. If you want a strict, no-frills, straight-onto-the-fairway Puligny, this is where to come.Inc. VAT£1,026.72 -
(6x75cl) 2020Decanter (95)
A buttery, ripe apple fruit, with a hint of mineral and a suggestion of beeswax. The palate is rich and hedonistic, although it lacks a bit of the lemony freshness some will love. Sauzet farms 0.6ha in Perrières at the bottom of the premier cru band that gives a rich, dense result. The grapes are lightly pressed and fermented in cask (20% new) before ageing two winters.Inc. VAT£967.24 -
(1x75cl) 2021Vinous (91-93)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrières 1er Cru has a perfumed, crushed rock/flinty bouquet that has more vigour than the La Garenne. The palate is quite weighty in the mouth, with a bit of reduction at the moment, lightly spiced towards the finish. Give this a couple of years in bottle as I appreciate the energy.Inc. VAT£288.12 -
Vinous (89+)
Reticent nose hints at pear. Juicy, delineated and tight; seems denser than the 2000, with a stronger acid spine and more nervosite Finishes firm, brisk and young. This will need some time in bottle.Inc. VAT£1,774.01 -
(1x75cl) 2006Vinous (92)
(from 50-year-old vines) Subtle, musky aromas of peach, nut oil and fresh hazelnut. Fat, sweet and oily, with lovely ripe acidity framing the fresh peach flavor. With its very strong fruit, this is like biting into a perfectly ripe grape. Really stains the palate on the sweet, long finish. This cuvee got a bit of acidification, notes Boudot.Inc. VAT£170.65 -
Inc. VAT£1,019.52 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a taut and strict nose, well defined, green apple mixed with subtle petrichor/wet pavement scents. The palate is well balanced with lemon zest, lime and a dab of ginger, gently building towards a nicely composed and delineated finish. This should give 8-10 years' drinking pleasure.Inc. VAT£637.09 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-91)
Fresh lemon and lime colour. The little lime note is there again. This is delicious on the palate, fills out a little more, retaining a chalky note. Balanced, precise and long. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted: October 2023.Inc. VAT£580.69
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(3x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (96-98)
The 2023 Montrachet Grand Cru showed a little more cloudiness in the glass due to the lees (of course, they will disappear once racked). Perhaps the nose is a little primal as a result—it's not as complete as the Bâtard or the Bienvenues. The palate is more indicative of where this Monty will be heading. It has intense, immense weight with an almost pixelated mineral-driven finish. This is going to be a great Montrachet, but it might take longer to reveal its true identity. Only six barrels were produced this year.In Bond£2,850.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet unfurls in the glass with a superb bouquet of citrus oil, crisp green apple, wheat toast, freshly baked bread and mandarin, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and complete palate that's deep and layered, underpinned by incisive acids and concluding with a long, mineral finish. It's hard to choose between this and the more muscular, introverted Combottes, but both are worth a special effort to seek out.In Bond£282.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Canet 1er Cru has an understated, slightly conservative bouquet that gradually unfolds with aeration: green apple, damp moss and crushed stone scents. Very appealing. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry with superb weight and depth counterbalanced by a citric line of acidity. Lightly spiced with hints of stem ginger, this fans out beautifully towards the finish. This showed potential from barrel and it seems to have exceeded that. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.In Bond£135.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Canet 1er Cru has an understated, slightly conservative bouquet that gradually unfolds with aeration: green apple, damp moss and crushed stone scents. Very appealing. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry with superb weight and depth counterbalanced by a citric line of acidity. Lightly spiced with hints of stem ginger, this fans out beautifully towards the finish. This showed potential from barrel and it seems to have exceeded that. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.In Bond£1,061.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
Subtle aromas of white peach, apple, spices and leesy hazelnut. Silkier and more elegant than the Hameau de Blagny, offering a lighter touch and more nervosité. A floral element adds lift. Finishes smooth and long, with subtle fruit intensity and very good cut.In Bond£853.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)
A surprising degree of green to the colour. A light but fine bouquet, all quite discreet, then rather more fruit intensity on the palate, quite linear but not without a little flesh on the bones. Apples washed with lime. Fine and elegant finish. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted: October 2023.In Bond£710.00 -
(1x75cl) 2016Burghound (94)
Vestiges of post-bottling sulfur don't completely mask the otherwise elegant citrus, white pear and acacia blossom aromas. The detailed, intense and concentrated medium weight plus flavors possess excellent drive on the refined, pure and strikingly long finish. As is often the case, this classy effort takes best in show for the Sauzet 1ers in 2016.In Bond£186.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet les Combettes 1er Cru comes from a single parcel of vines that abuts the Meursault Charmes of Comtes Lafon over the border. It has a strict bouquet of well defined crushed stone aromas, hints of orange blossom surfacing with time in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced opening. Impressive weight in the mouth here. The pithy, stone fruit finish leaves a dash of ginger on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Les Combettes.In Bond£1,427.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has a tightly wound bouquet, less expressive than the other cuvées, but a few swirls reveal intense mineral-driven malic fruit. Like the aromatics, the palate is beautifully defined and reminds me of Domaine Leflaive in style. The spiciness hits the back palate, hints of lemongrass linger in the mouth after this Les Combettes has departed. Classy but compact at the moment, so do not begrudge cellaring this for 3-5 years.In Bond£1,465.00 -
(1x75cl) 2020Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes is excellent, offering up aromas of stone fruits, pear, pastry cream, white flowers and fresh croissants, followed by a full-bodied, rich and textural palate, with a broad attack that segues into a layered, multidimensional palate. Powerful and broad shouldered, but nicely balanced, this is a compelling wine from Sauzet.In Bond£178.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes is excellent, offering up aromas of stone fruits, pear, pastry cream, white flowers and fresh croissants, followed by a full-bodied, rich and textural palate, with a broad attack that segues into a layered, multidimensional palate. Powerful and broad shouldered, but nicely balanced, this is a compelling wine from Sauzet.In Bond£1,465.00 -
Burghound (93-95)
Sweet Spot Outstanding. Firm reduction completely overshadows the fruit. Otherwise, there is excellent volume to the seductively textured medium weight flavors that exude plenty of minerality that adds lift to the succulent, balanced and gorgeously persistent bitter lemon-tinged finish that goes on and on. This isn't quite as concentrated as the Folatières but it's finer and stunningly long. This may not be the best Sauzet Combettes ever but in time, it should be in the conversation, it's that good.In Bond£184.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Burghound (93-95)
Sweet Spot Outstanding. Firm reduction completely overshadows the fruit. Otherwise, there is excellent volume to the seductively textured medium weight flavors that exude plenty of minerality that adds lift to the succulent, balanced and gorgeously persistent bitter lemon-tinged finish that goes on and on. This isn't quite as concentrated as the Folatières but it's finer and stunningly long. This may not be the best Sauzet Combettes ever but in time, it should be in the conversation, it's that good.In Bond£1,156.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has a clean, precise bouquet with wet limestone, Granny Smith apples, menthol and light sea spray scents that could only originate from this appellation. The palate is very well-balanced, one of the most powerful of Sauzet's Premier Crus. It possesses perhaps its spiciest and most texturally satisfying finishes that lingers long in the mouth. Excellent.In Bond£1,211.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023Vinous - Neal Martin (94-96)
The 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has another riveting bouquet with notes of white peach, orange pith and crushed limestone. It is intense but very elegant and delineated. The palate has exquisite balance and a little more rondeur compared to others. A touch more spiciness emerges toward the finish, with perhaps the longest aftertaste. This is superb.In Bond£825.00 -
Inc. VAT£267.60 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2014 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru les Perrières has a terroir-driven, mineral-rich bouquet, flint and cold limestone. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry, good density here with a little more spiciness than Sauzet's other premier crus. There is an edginess here, tensile and animated with impressive weight on the finish. This is very fine and probably deserves 2-3 years in the cellar. This is one of the domaine's best premier crus in 2014.In Bond£2,175.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2014 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru les Perrières has a terroir-driven, mineral-rich bouquet, flint and cold limestone. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry, good density here with a little more spiciness than Sauzet's other premier crus. There is an edginess here, tensile and animated with impressive weight on the finish. This is very fine and probably deserves 2-3 years in the cellar. This is one of the domaine's best premier crus in 2014.In Bond£1,260.82 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
The 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières did not quite display the panache of the enticing Les Referts, though it is redeemed by a subtle touch of aniseed, a leitmotif among several other whites within the Côte de Beaune. The palate is very well balanced with a fine thread of acidity, crisp and taut, perhaps less showy and complex than the Les Referts, although there is plenty of freshness on the finish. If you want a strict, no-frills, straight-onto-the-fairway Puligny, this is where to come.In Bond£837.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020Decanter (95)
A buttery, ripe apple fruit, with a hint of mineral and a suggestion of beeswax. The palate is rich and hedonistic, although it lacks a bit of the lemony freshness some will love. Sauzet farms 0.6ha in Perrières at the bottom of the premier cru band that gives a rich, dense result. The grapes are lightly pressed and fermented in cask (20% new) before ageing two winters.In Bond£790.00 -
(1x75cl) 2021Vinous (91-93)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrières 1er Cru has a perfumed, crushed rock/flinty bouquet that has more vigour than the La Garenne. The palate is quite weighty in the mouth, with a bit of reduction at the moment, lightly spiced towards the finish. Give this a couple of years in bottle as I appreciate the energy.In Bond£237.00 -
Vinous (89+)
Reticent nose hints at pear. Juicy, delineated and tight; seems denser than the 2000, with a stronger acid spine and more nervosite Finishes firm, brisk and young. This will need some time in bottle.Inc. VAT£1,724.40 -
(1x75cl) 2006Vinous (92)
(from 50-year-old vines) Subtle, musky aromas of peach, nut oil and fresh hazelnut. Fat, sweet and oily, with lovely ripe acidity framing the fresh peach flavor. With its very strong fruit, this is like biting into a perfectly ripe grape. Really stains the palate on the sweet, long finish. This cuvee got a bit of acidification, notes Boudot.In Bond£139.00 -
In Bond£831.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a taut and strict nose, well defined, green apple mixed with subtle petrichor/wet pavement scents. The palate is well balanced with lemon zest, lime and a dab of ginger, gently building towards a nicely composed and delineated finish. This should give 8-10 years' drinking pleasure.In Bond£513.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-91)
Fresh lemon and lime colour. The little lime note is there again. This is delicious on the palate, fills out a little more, retaining a chalky note. Balanced, precise and long. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted: October 2023.In Bond£466.00

