Domaine Fontaine Gagnard Batard-Montrachet 2024
We have 2 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
Summer Shipping Advisory: Orders may be temporarily held during periods of extreme heat to ensure wine arrives in optimal condition.
View current shipping weather map →
The Land
Bâtard-Montrachet straddles the boundary of Chassagne and Puligny directly below Le Montrachet on the slope, at roughly 240 to 260 meters elevation. At approximately 11.87 hectares, it is one of the larger Côte d'Or grand crus, though production per producer remains small. The soils in the Chassagne section where Fontaine-Gagnard farms are deep brown limestone, minerally rich, with enough clay content to support the weight and density that define Bâtard's character. This is the most powerful white wine appellation on the Côte de Beaune, built for density, richness, and two decades of aging in top vintages. It sits within a few hundred meters of Le Montrachet on the same hillside; the difference in character between the two vineyards speaks to how precisely Burgundy's geology expresses itself.
The Wine
100% Chardonnay from Fontaine-Gagnard's Bâtard holdings. Gently pressed, fermented with native yeasts, aged on lees for 12 months in oak at a higher new oak percentage than the premier crus, then 5 months of integration in tank before bottling. Polaner Selections has consistently described this as one of the raciest and most mineral examples of Bâtard in Chassagne, leaner and more precise than many of its neighbors in Puligny. The 2024 vintage brings more freshness and lift than we have seen from this site in a while. Bâtard's characteristic density is still present, ripe pear, beeswax, toasted hazelnut, and a long mineral finish, but 2024 gives the wine a cleaner acid line and an earlier accessibility than warmer years produce. Still, give it five to eight years at minimum. Very small quantity produced.
The People
Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard traces its origin to 1982, when Richard Fontaine married Laurence Gagnard, eldest daughter of the legendary Jacques Gagnard. The holdings from that union became the foundation of a 12-hectare estate covering three grand crus and twelve premier crus in Chassagne-Montrachet, including a small parcel of Le Montrachet, placing the family among just 16 producers in the world who own a piece of that vineyard. Since 2007, the domaine has been led by Céline Fontaine, a winemaker of sharp instincts and genuine humility who talks more readily about her vineyards than herself. Her partner Fred Robert spent 11 years at Domaine Armand Rousseau in Gevrey-Chambertin before joining Céline in 2017. The approach is consistent: native yeasts, restrained new oak, and a preference for letting terroir speak.
Food Pairing
Bâtard's density and richness pair best with preparations that can hold their own against it: butter-roasted lobster tail, a whole roasted turbot with hollandaise, slow-roasted chicken with cream and tarragon, or a long-aged Gruyère. The 2024 freshness means it comes to the table earlier than most Bâtard vintages, but its best showing is still alongside something rich and carefully made.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Burgundy, in eastern France, encompasses several subregions, but it is the Côte d'Or that is home to many of the world's most expensive and revered wines. The region, primarily a single east-facing slope, has mixed limestone soils that vary dramatically from village to village and even vineyard to vineyard. White wines, crafted from Chardonnay, range from rich and opulent to lean and intensely mineral, while Pinot Noir produces silky, perfumed red wines of exceptional finesse and complexity. Centuries of winemaking tradition have resulted in every plot being meticulously recognized and scrutinized, making the Côte d'Or a true capital of terroir.
Burgundy - Cote d'Or
Chardonnay, one of the world's most versatile and beloved white grape varieties, showcases a remarkable spectrum of styles, from the lean, mineral-driven expressions of Chablis in France to the rich, buttery, and oak-aged versions from California's Napa Valley. Its adaptability extends to cooler climates such as Burgundy, where it achieves elegance and complexity, and to regions like Australia's Yarra Valley, known for producing vibrant and fruit-forward renditions. This grape's ability to reflect its terroir, coupled with winemaking techniques, results in a wide array of profiles, including unoaked, crisp varieties with apple and citrus notes, to full-bodied wines with tropical fruit flavors and creamy textures.
