Ratings & Tasting Notes:
98 points Burghound
Review Date: 04/2015
This is one of those rare wines that is already 30 years old yet it is every bit as good as the same wine in magnum (see herein). A phenomenally complex and powerful nose is comprised by superbly layered aromas that exhibit no sous-bois nuances while introducing fresh, intense and dense flavors of incredible depth and breed plus they possess simply stunning length. This utterly stylish and classy effort is so good that it’s frankly difficult to describe the sheer breadth of expression and the overall personality here is one of regal elegance it is reference standard Montrachet but the term “brilliant” would at least come close. I really like the subtle interplay of power, minerality, acid grip, complexity and huge persistence and this is a genuinely great Ramonet Montrachet, which given the heights this wine routinely achieves, that is really saying something. Mostly consistent notes though one recent bottle, while certainly good, did not hit the highlights described above.
Cult Wines International Notes:
The 1985 Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru is a legendary bottling from an estate that defines the pinnacle of Chassagne-Montrachet. Founded in the late 1920s by Pierre Ramonet, the domaine rose to international fame for its uncompromising traditionalism and its ability to produce wines of ethereal complexity. The family’s acquisition of a small parcel in the Montrachet Grand Cru—the most prestigious white wine vineyard in the world—solidified their status as viticultural royalty. By 1985, the winemaking was a collaborative effort between the patriarch Pierre and his grandsons, Noël and Jean-Claude. Their approach focused on old vines and low yields, using a signature style of fermentation that captured the “Ramonet mint” and a crystalline mineral tension. This vintage is particularly historic as it represents the era when the domaine’s Montrachet became one of the most elusive and sought-after liquids in the world.
The 1985 growing season in Burgundy is remembered as a “classic” vintage of exceptional quality and balance. Following a brutally cold winter, a cool and damp spring delayed flowering, which fortunately protected the vines from late-season frosts. The summer was characterized by consistent, warm, and dry weather, providing a steady ripening period without the stress of extreme heat. Ideal conditions continued through the September harvest, allowing the Chardonnay to achieve perfect phenolic maturity with high sugar levels balanced by a backbone of vibrant, refreshing acidity. The 1985 Ramonet Montrachet emerged from this harmonious season as a wine of immense power, characterized by a lush, opulent texture and a structural precision that has allowed it to age with remarkable grace, remaining a “holy grail” for collectors decades later.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Outstanding condition.
