We are privileged to obtain a small allocation of Domaine
Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet white burgundies from the excellent 2007
vintage. Leflaive is regarded as the
pinnacle for white burgundy and for the last dozen years, the domaine has had
practically no peers. Run by Anne-Claude
Leflaive with Pierre Morey as regisseur, the 24.5 ha domaine has holdings in
the very best sites of Puligny-Montrachet, making a minuscule 25-50 cases of
Montrachet and around 750 cases of Chevalier and Batard-Montrachets
annually. Production of the premier cru
wines is also very limited. Leflaive has
been biodynamic since 1997 and the winemaking is traditional. We are able to offer bottles only of the
following wines on a ‘first-in’ basis.
Unfortunately we have none of the grand cru wines available:
Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2007
This label is the most affordable way to taste the Leflaive
style, a not so simple Bourgogne Blanc, all Chardonnay, from 3.24 hectares in
two parcels outside the prime Puligny and Chassagne village appellations, but
given the same care and attention as afforded all of the domaine’s wines. 12 months in 12% new casks. Showing great finesse and concentration, a
little more breadth and openness than the premier cru Puligny-Montrachets, and
certainly not shamed by them. Incredible
value by way of the grapes’ provenance only.
Leflaive
Puligny-Montrachet 2007
Puligny-Montrachet wines possess a ‘masculine’ structure and grip,
along with a raciness, ‘breed’ and finesse that requires bottle age to show
their best. Leflaive has 4.64 ha of
village holdings spread over 7 parcels, some of the vines over 50 years
old. Matured 12 months in 18% new Vosges
and Allier oak casks. A wine of great class and style, equivalent
to premier cru wines from other producers.
Leflaive recommends drinking this from 2011.
Leflaive
Puligny-Montrachet 1er ‘Clavoillon’ 2007
The 5.59 ha site that is a continuation north of ‘Pucelles’,
where the soil has more clay. With 4.79
ha, Leflaive is nearly a monopole owner of the site. Vines 20 to 50 years old, the wines are rich
and nutty, and a little ‘four square’ only when compared to the other premier
crus. Aged 12 months in 22% new oak
casks and bottled another 6 months later.
Leflaive
Puligny-Montrachet 1er ‘Combettes’ 2007
This 6.76 ha site is the best premier cru on the Meursault
appellation border. The wines are
‘feminine’ with soft peach and honey characters, combining some of the
plumpness of Meursault with the Puligny steel.
Regarded as the ‘complete’ Puligny-Montrachet. Leflaive has 0.73 ha, and the wine is aged 12
months in 22% new Vosges and Allier oak
barrels.
Leflaive
Puligny-Montrachet 1er ‘Folatieres’ 2007
‘Folatieres’ is the largest premier cru of Puligny, at 17.65
hectares. It lies above ‘Clavoillon’
climbing towards Blagny. Leflaive has
three parcels, totaling only 1.26 ha, producing archetype Puligny-Montrachet
wine, full, meaty and minerally, with plenty of weight and grip. There is more depth and nuance in these wines
than those of Clavoillon. 12 months in
20% new oak casks.
Leflaive
Puligny-Montrachet 1er ‘Pucelles’ 2007
Domaine Leflaive is the largest owner of this 5.13 ha site
with three parcels totaling 3.08 ha. In
the hands of Leflaive, ‘Pucelles’ is pretty much a grand cru in quality. Feminine in style with great delicacy, soft
and honeyed, but with great intensity and wonderful acidity. Sheer elegance. 12 months in 22% new Allier and Vosges oak casks.
We also have bottle stocks of:
Leflaive
Puligny-Montrachet 1er ‘Pucelles’ 2006
Leflaive experienced a superb vintage in 2006, with optimum
ripeness and the wines show great finesse with full expression of terroir. Fine and favourable weather allowed earlier
harvesting at the start of September. A
benchmark vintage exemplifying white burgundy according to Domaine
Leflaive. Drinking from 2011.