Bâtonnage

Bâtonage is the process of stirring barrels, or any other vessel holding wine to re-suspend lees, consisting mostly of dead yeast. Stirring the lees impacts the texture, aroma and flavour. In addition, the process introduces oxygen as the vessel must be unsealed to insert the stirrer.

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Bâtonnage is the process of stirring barrels, or any other vessel holding wine to re-suspend lees, consisting mostly of dead yeast. Stirring the lees impacts the texture, aroma and flavour. In addition, the process introduces oxygen as the vessel must be unsealed to insert the stirrer. It’s an important part of the élévage of the wine. Typically stirring will be more frequent in the early phase of ageing. Frequency will be determined by experience and tasting the wine. There is little point in stirring the wine more frequently than weekly as the lees takes a week to settle and the impact of the introduction of oxygen could be too severe.

 

Synonyms:
Lees Stirring
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Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2019

Riesling from Mosel, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2019

A highly aromatic, fruit-driven and perfumed nose of William’s pear, pineapple juice, apricot, passionfruit, banana flambé, honeyed peach and melon, all wrapped in white mint and a hint of toffee. Superbly sweet, unctuous and delicately smooth on the beautifully layered and intense palate. A tickly touch of acidity adds a gorgeous sensation of lightness to the nicely energetic and intense finish. A comparatively opulent and rich expression of auslese that flirts with BA presence. It proves

Vintage 2019
$265
$255ea in any 3+
$245ea in any 6+
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Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis 1er 'Chaffots' 2017

Pinot Noir from Morey-Saint-Denis, Côte-de-Nuits

Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis 1er ‘Chaffots’ 2017

A cool, pure and relatively high-toned nose combines aromas of essence of red cherry, lilac, violet, lavender and plenty of earth character. There is better concentration to the nicely powerful and muscular flavors that culminate in a robust finale and while the finish still comes across as grippy, the tannins seem riper.Burghound

Vintage 2017
$450
$435ea in any 3+
$420ea in any 6+
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Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Vergers' 2017

Chardonnay from Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte du Beaune

Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Les Vergers’ 2017

Lovers of flavourful Chardonnay will be happy here! Amiot 'Les Vergers' sits toward the more generous end of the spectrum. Tasting this reminded me of a chat I had with Franco d'Anna about the pendulum from riper to lean styles at a time when many were pushing the boundaries of the lean side to an extreme. 'Chardonnay should have flavour' he proclaimed.Lovers of flavourful Chardonnay will be happy here. Vergers should have a solid line of acid and this does. Full of riper stone fruit, melon,

Vintage 2017
$261
$251ea in any 3+
$241ea in any 6+
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Domaine Thierry Laffay Chablis 1er 'Côte de Lechet' 2020

Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy

Domaine Thierry Laffay Chablis 1er ‘Côte de Lechet’ 2020

Sitting between the Vaillons and Mont de Milieu in terms of richness and minerality Delicacy, laced and fine, perfumed, elegant and long, a little primary would be interesting to see what a little time in old wood would do for this. The salinity is back in force. Tighter it will need bottle age to show it’s best. The phenolics / acid complex will take time. Everything is there waiting to come together and give a little patience you will be in a very happy place.

Vintage 2020
$117
$112ea in any 3+
$107ea in any 6+
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