Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 2022
(Burgundy, France) - [DM 94] [VM 92]

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 wine:

Coming from 7 different plots all throughout the AOC, the Village wines from Domaine Leflaive are a great representation of the wines of Puligny. The minerality, combined with the unique texture, make this wine stand out from the crowd, leading the way to the greatness of the Premiers and Grands Cru from the family. 

Vinification:

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:

"This village-level wine is a reliable benchmark for the commune. It reflects the sunny character of the vintage with its ripe stone fruit and citrus notes, yet offers depth and complexity as well, with saline hints, flint and fresh white flowers. The texture is silky and approachable. It’s drinking now, but with enough substance to hold for five to 10 years. From a blend of seven parcels totalling 4.6ha; the two largest in Les Tremblots, downslope from Bâtard, and Les Brelances, which touches Les Clavoillons."  - Charles Curtis (April 2024) 

92 Points - Vinous Media: 

"The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a nicely detailed bouquet of green apples. It's a touch spicier than the Bourgogne Blanc, with a trace of walnut coming through with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced with a keen line of acidity, sour lemon hints and, again, that spice that lingers on the aftertaste."  - Neal Martin (May 2024)

90 - 92 Points - Allen Meadows' Burghound:

"(from several different lieux-dits, 30% of which is from Brélance with major contributions from Les Tremblots and Grands Champs). A markedly more floral-suffused nose features notes of cool Granny Smith apple, citrus and a touch of mineral reduction. The caressing, delicious and plump but agreeably energetic medium-bodied flavors possess solid depth and persistence on the balanced, firm and highly refreshing finale. This is also excellent for its level and a wine that should drink well after only 3 to 4 years of keeping but age gracefully for a decade. Recommended.  " - (June 2024)