ETIENNE SAUZET
BURGUNDY, FRANCE 2023
Why Buy: Sauzet has returned to the pinnacle of Burgundy under winemaker Benoît Riffault, and this 2023 class of wines — from a vintage that Jasper Morris of Inside Burgundy has touted for its "delicious" and accessible white Burgundies, and sourced from some of most impressive landholdings the region — confirms what some of us have known for years: that these are singular and thrilling expressions of Burgundian terroir, worthy of investment and cellaring. Their commitment to 100-percent hand-crafted, chemical-free winemaking; their deep understanding of their exceptional soils; and their unerring ability to create whites of remarkable tension and age-worthiness is evident in every glass, every sip.
Our Tasting Notes: These wines showcase the gorgeous tension that only the best white Burgundies can deliver, along with a welcome and enlivening minerality and vivid expression of fruit. But what truly captivates here is how each bottling, from the village-level Puligny-Montrachet to the majestic Grand Crus, shows its distinct personality while at the same time maintaining the house's signature elegance. We were particularly taken, in our tastings, by the textural sophistication of these; there’s a richness and depth that's perfectly balanced by subtle acidity, creating that rare sense of power without weight that marks great white Burgundy. As the wines open in the glass, layers of white flowers and citrus give way to notes of stone fruit and honey, all grounded by that thrilling mineral core.
The Story: The domaine, nearly a century old, has been under family control the entire time, with Emile and Benoit Riffault hewing to the same methods that their ancestors did – that is to say, working only with their hands, without chemicals or additives, and informed by a deep and intimate knowledge of the vines and terroir. This isn't just tradition for tradition's sake; it's an understanding that great wine begins and ends in the vineyard. And what vineyards they are! Clive Coates, one of the world's foremost authorities on Burgundy, has dubbed Puligny-Montrachet "the greatest white wine commune on earth" – and there isn't a trace of hyperbole in his words. Housing four of the five Grand Crus, these slopes have proven, decade after decade, vintage after vintage, to be a brilliant and immensely rewarding partner, producing some of the most compelling expressions of Chardonnay anywhere on earth. The Riffaults' approach is both humble and exacting – they see themselves not as creators but as caretakers, their role being to shepherd these exceptional terroirs into the bottle with as little intervention as possible. The result is a portfolio of wines that speaks with crystalline clarity of their extraordinary origins.
Fun Fact: Sauzet makes it a point of pride to age its wines on the lees for 10-12 months, in order to, as they say at the estate — and we absolutely love this expression — "nourish them."
Our Guarantee: As always, we source directly from the domaine to ensure perfect provenance. With Sauzet's increasing recognition making their wines harder and harder to find in the marketplace, we encourage you to secure yours today.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Prices subject to change. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government. If any changes impact your order, you will be notified and given the option of a full refund for goods not received. Offer not valid in KS, KY, IN, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, April 6th, 2025.