Domaine Leflaive "Bienvenues" Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020
(Burgundy, France) - [WS 96] [BH 95-97] [VM 95] [WA 95] [JM 94-97]

About the Domaine:
Biodynamic viticulture, coupled with the rare fact that each farm worker is salaried and responsible for a specific piece of the vineyard. This fosters devotion and attention to detail. Vincent Laflaive stresses the two values that are of the essence at the Domaine; “allowing nature to do its work, and maintaining a clinical cleanliness in the equipment used to stock and transport the wine.” The wines are developed in the true Burgundian tradition, spending two winters in the cellar, to ensure that once bottled the wine will “stand on both feet”, a local axiom. The wineries roots, no pun intended, trace back to 1717, making it one of the oldest in Puligny-Montrachet. Their Grand Cru vineyards span Cote de Beaune, totaling 13 acres of vines. They are best known for their whites, which can be attributed to their success during the Judgment of Paris where they took 8th place of the 10 wines awarded. Always a favorite with critics, Domaine Leflaive was praised by James Halliday in 2007 when he noted “it is an enviable position to know that every bottle is sold before it is made.” The sophistication and strong minerality of these wines create great longevity, perfect for the cellar, but hard to find. As Anne-Claude Leflaive points out, ‘I think that in your life, if you really want something, heaven helps you and you find people in front of you to help you.’
And here we are...

Terroir:

There are few places blessed with so much history and such geography.  Since the Middle Ages, Burgundy has produced wine like no other region. The know-how of the monks has passed through the centuries, evangelizing each village with vineyards that have always remained of a human-size. Nowadays, the total Burgundy vineyard covers less than 30,000 ha, barely 4% of French vineyards as a whole. 

Burgundy’s wines have acquired a simple and unique reputation: they are the best Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs in the world. Each appellation comes from a specific place, a parcel of vines often of modest size: these famous “Climats” form the basis of the Burgundy model. The diversity of Burgundy’s wines is also found in its 84 appellations, from the grands crus at the top of the pyramid through the premiers crus and the villages to the regional AOCs. More than a classification or a nomenclature, these are names that amateurs dream about: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Corton, Meursault... Or even, in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet, where the Leflaive family has been established since 1717.

Vinification:
Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, decanting over 24 hours, then racking and running into cask of the must.
Alcoholic fermentation in oak casks, 25% new (maxi 1/2 Vosges, mini 1/2 Allier).
Maturing: after 12 months in cask, the wine is aged 6 months in tank where it is prepared for bottling.
Homeopathic fining and very light filtering if necessary.

100% Chardonnay

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A generous style, this white highlights lime blossom, citronella, apricot and baking spice flavors matched to a solidly built structure. Firms up on the finish, essentially shutting down, leaving a mouthwatering aftertaste of citrus, mineral and spice notes. Best from 2026 through 2038. 490 cases made, 196 cases imported." - Bruce Sanderson (June 2023)

95-97 Points - Allen Meadows' Burghound:
"As is often the case, the nose is aromatically quite similar to the Pucelles though it's both spicier and more restrained. There is even better volume to the caressing and palate staining medium weight plus flavors that deliver strikingly good length on the clean, saline and sappy finish that is shaped by citrus-tinged acidity. This beauty is positively brilliant and at the moment, it cedes nothing to the Bâtard, which is not always the case. If you can find it, buy it." (Jun 2022)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is quite intense on the nose with flinty, slightly fumé scents complementing the green apple and pear notes, becoming more citric with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced with gorgeous dried orange peel, chamomile and hints of white pepper, fanning out gloriously on the finish. Bon vin." Drink 2026-2048. - Neal Martin (November 2022)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Leflaive's 2020 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru exhibits aromas of white currants, citrus oil, freshly baked bread, fresh herbs and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and layered palate with good concentration, racy acids and a chalky finish. This is quite a fine-boned, delicate Bienvenues that doesn't show much of the vintage's sunshine." Drink 2027-2050. - William Kelley (January 2023)

94-97 Points - Jasper Morris' Inside Burgundy:
"An elegant lemon and lime colour. The nose is very precise, a masterpiece of elegance, not giving too much up front. The oak is entirely integrated. A little bit of fresh fennel, otherwise pure white fruit. Then the concentration builds to the back, a slight youthful bitterness, all in all a discreet wine with enormous power to build subsequently." (May 2022)