The 2022 Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Magnum (1500ml) is an extraordinary white Burgundy from one of the rarest and most exclusive Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte de Beaune. Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet is the smallest of the Montrachet Grand Crus, covering just over 1.5 hectares in Chassagne-Montrachet and producing wines renowned for their richness, precision and remarkable elegance. In the outstanding 2022 vintage, Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain has crafted a wine that combines immense concentration with crystalline purity, while the magnum format provides exceptional ageing potential and graceful long-term evolution. Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet is considered one of Burgundy’s most coveted Chardonnay sites, producing only a tiny quantity of wine each year.
The nose is intensely complex and captivating, revealing layers of lemon curd, white peach and ripe pear alongside acacia blossom, citrus oil and subtle exotic fruit notes. Delicate aromas of toasted hazelnut, brioche and almond emerge with aeration, while profound chalky minerality and hints of wet stone add remarkable depth and precision. The aromatic profile is both powerful and refined, displaying the concentration expected from a Grand Cru while retaining exceptional elegance.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and luxuriously textured with extraordinary depth and balance. Layers of citrus, white stone fruits and ripe orchard fruits are supported by vibrant acidity and a powerful mineral backbone. The wine delivers impressive richness and concentration without sacrificing freshness, with notes of crushed limestone, oyster shell and subtle barrel complexity adding further dimension. The texture is seamless and expansive, leading to an exceptionally long, precise and persistent finish marked by saline minerality, citrus zest and remarkable purity. The combination of Grand Cru pedigree, the exceptional 2022 vintage and magnum ageing potential creates a Chardonnay of immense stature and longevity.
Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is an exceptional choice for serious Burgundy collectors and lovers of the world’s finest Chardonnay. Compared to richer and broader expressions such as Bâtard-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet often offers greater finesse, precision and elegance while still delivering profound concentration and complexity. The magnum format makes this particularly attractive for long-term cellaring, allowing the wine to evolve slowly and develop extraordinary nuance over time. While already impressive with careful decanting, its true potential will emerge over the next decade and beyond. Drink from now or cellar confidently through to 2050 and beyond. Perfect with lobster, scallops, turbot, lobster thermidor, truffle-infused poultry dishes, premium seafood cuisine or simply enjoyed on its own as a great contemplative wine.
