Chevalier Montrachet la Cabotte, Bouchard Père et Fils 2016

**Note: Bouchard has been separately vinifying this .20 ha parcel, which at one time was part of Montrachet, since 1992 though the first commercial release was not until 1997; Bouchard jokingly refers to this parcel as their "Montrachet du haute pente", or upper slope Montrachet**
This too is so firmly reduced that the nose is unreadable. There is by contrast good freshness and a lovely sense of verve to the dense and serious imposingly-scaled flavors that possess ample muscle and minerality on the powerful and driving finish that delivers outstanding length. In any given vintage La Cabotte can be more Montrachet or more Chevalier in character but in 2016, I would describe it more akin to Montrachet. I would further note that while this should age effortlessly, there is so much mid-palate fat that it could be enjoyed after only 5-ish years.

The 2016 Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte Grand Cru has a similar bouquet to the regular Chevalier-Montrachet this year, albeit with a subtle oyster shell scent that surfaces with time. The palate is very poised and a little nuttier and more saline than the regular bottling, although for me it does not quite deliver the same precision right on the finish. It is a bit broody at the moment and maybe closer in style to the Montrachet. Three barrels produced (since the vines were less affected by frost).