2012 Domaine Ramonet Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France 750ml

While sharing certain similarities with the nose of the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, in particular soft wood and mint hints, this is notably more reserved and it's clear that this isn't interested in playing nicely yet, as the nose is all but shut down. Even extended aeration barely coaxes ripe orchard fruit and floral scents to reveal themselves and it's easy to sense that even before you taste the wine that it's built-to-age. Also like the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet this is dense and very serious while retaining fine delineation and excellent power and punch thanks to the firm but ripe core of citrus-tinged acidity that shapes the explosively persistent finish. If there is anything to reproach the '12 Bâtard on, it's that it is not especially complex at present though the underlying material is just too good for it not to progressively develop much, much more over time. Additionally, in contrast to the say the Champs Canet which could arguably be approached young, if you're going to buy this, just plan on putting it in the back of your cellar and forgetting that you own it for at least 6 to 8 years though it should effortlessly reward 10 to 12 and perhaps even 15. In a word, brilliant.