Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru(2002)

and evenly which means that everything ripened at pretty much the same time. In fact, we did the entire harvest in only 6 days. I would compare '02 to either '85 or maybe '92 but it seems as though there is better balance and better acidity than in '92. In fact, much as I like my '99s, 2002 may be the most complete vintage in a long, long time. As to the Sauzet '01s, Boudot still likes them and indeed there is much to like but to this observer, it's the weakest vintage chez Sauzet among this quartet and these '02s are clearly superior. (Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; O.W. Loeb, Justerini & Brooks, Lay & Wheeler, Tanners Wines, Adnams, Berry Brothers & Rudd and Domaine Direct, all UK). Note: the Bourgogne was bottled in August and the Chassagne and Puligny villages wines were bottled in November. Note: also from a full 1 ha parcel of 50+ year old vines that saw 40% new wood Aromas that are noticeably riper than any of the preceding wines carry notes of white flowers, ripe peach, apricot and a hint of the exotic such as mango and banana lead to concentrated, dramatically powerful and muscular flavors of knockout length if not quite the same degree of complexity as the best of these 1ers. Normally, the Sauzet Combettes is so good that it rivals the Bienvenues but I find it just a hair in back of the Champs Canet and Folatières. Still, this is awfully good juice.    (hide)