Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos St. Marc (Recolte du Domaine) 2018
Olivier Leflaive
In 1984 Olivier and Patrick Leflaive left the family business, Domaine Leflaive, to establish the negociant house that bears their name. At the same time, they agreed with their family at Domaine Leflaive that the vineyards they owned would remain under contract with the Domaine. This contract came to term in 2010 and the vineyards have now come back under the control of Olivier and Patrick Leflaive and their company, Olivier Leflaive Frères. It is a spectacular holding including parcels of Bâtard Montrachet, Chevalier Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet Pucelles and Meursault Blagny. These holdings join the properties in Chassagne Montrachet, Abbaye de Morgeot and Clos St Marc, that have always been managed by Olivier Leflaive Frères and bring the new Domaine Olivier Leflaive to a total of close to 17 hectares, most Premier and Grand Cru. The new parcels are referred to as Recolte du Domaine and are all farmed biodynamically (as they were under the management of Domaine Leflaive). The first vintage for these new wines is 2010.
Terroir: Clos Saint Marc is a 4.2 acre walled vineyard on a hillside within the 1er Cru Les Vergers on the north border of the appellation overlooking St Aubin and Le Montrachet directly to the north. The domaine owns 2.15 acres in the heart of the vineyard. Vines here are farmed organically in argilo-calcareous soils and average 18 years old.
Vinification: Grapes are hand harvested and pressed as whole berries upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation occurs entirely in oak, 25% of which is new. The young wines are aged in oak for a total of 12 months before resting in stainless steel for an additional 5 months prior to bottling.
Additional Information
Orange blossom, racy, streamlined palate to a vivacious and lively finish. Delightful.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet
- Winemaker: Franck Grux
- Sustainability: Organic Practices
- Soil: Argilo-calcareous
- Vineyard Acreage: .87ha
- Alcohol: 12%
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 12/750ml
- Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Recent Press
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Score: 94 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021"Perfumed and expressive, this charming white exudes peach, lemon cake, citronella, seashore and baking spice flavors. Vibrant, smooth and balanced, with a lingering toasty, nutty aftertaste. Drink now through 2025." -
Score: 92 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: William Kelley
Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021"The 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint-Marc (Récolte du Domaine) is showing very well, mingling aromas of crisp orchard fruit and white flowers with hints of almond paste, vanilla pod and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and charming, with lively acids and a saline finish, it's a worthy follow-up to the fine 2017 rendition."
