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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Yet another successful 'Costa Bassa' from Fay! Thoughts read pretty much the same as for the delicious 2019. Loads of pleasure here, the harmony, and, the inviting, drink me, nature of the wine is just the beginning. It really has everything in all the right places. Excellent. Got that whole alpine thing going on. Excellent weight and shape to it. Playful dusty chalky slightly chewy tannins with fine boned acid. Sour cherry with licorice a hint of smoke, resinous. A thirst quencher with epic
$64
$61ea in any 3+
$58ea in any 6+
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David Duband Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru ‘Clos Sorbé’ 2018

Pinot Noir | Morey-Saint-Denis, France

‘A fresh, cool and more elegant array is comprised by notes of both red and dark pinot fruit along with background floral and earth suggestions. The succulent, round and delicious middle weight flavors are finer if less powerful, all wrapped in a lingering finish that progressively tightens up as it sits on the palate to the point that it becomes quite compact. This will definitely need a few years to unwind. Drink 2028+.’ Burghound.com January 2020.
$260
$250ea in any 3+
$240ea in any 6+
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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
$340
$325ea in any 3+
$310ea in any 6+
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Château Doisy-Daëne Barsac 375ml 2015

Semillon | France, Barsac

Always one of my favourite sweet Bordeaux makers! I've always had a soft spot for Doisy-Daëne. The defining difference, beautiful balance. 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 60% Semillon from 50+ year old vines. "The 2015 Doisy-Daene has a detailed bouquet, very correct, nothing showy or flamboyant as is typical of Denis Dubourdieu's Barsac. The palate is extremely well balanced and very pure: citrus fruit infusing the honeyed botrytis, veins of white peach and quince, leading to a very precise and
$73
$70ea in any 3+
$67ea in any 6+
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