Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru Les Pucelles 2022
(Burgundy, France) - [VM 95] [BH 93-96]

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.

About the Vineyard:

This climat is located in the town of Puligny just north of the Bâtard and Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet with the same altitude and soil. This climat is often considered as the best Premier in Puligny and can rival its neighbors in some vintages where its minerality will contrast with the intensity of the two Bâtards. 

Vinification:

95 Points - Vinous Media: 

"The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1er Cru has a subtle menthol note in the background, indicative of the concentration bestowed by the growing season. There's a hint of exoticism, yet it doesn't overwhelm the terroir expression. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a wonderful umami sensation and razor-sharp acidity (incredible in a warm vintage). It is harmonious with a lightly spiced finish and traces of Vervane and white pepper on the aftertaste. Quite mercurial in the glass, I would give this 3-4 years in bottle."  - Neal Martin (May 2024)

93 - 96 Points - Allen Meadows' Burghound:

"(from two very large parcels of vines totaling over 3 ha). Here too the nose is cool and restrained with a discreet application of wood framing the beautifully layered aromas of honeysuckle, white peach, citrus confit, spice and a variety of floral nuances and in particular, acacia blossom. The refined and strikingly textured medium weight flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration before terminating in a highly persistent, impeccably well-balanced and markedly dry, but not really austere, finale. This beauty is quite understated with the requisite balance and underlying material to reward long-term keeping. In short, this is potentially brilliant. " - (June 2024)