Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru (Recolte du Domaine) 2016
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: The Grand Cru Chevalier Montrachet sits high on the hillside overlooking Le Montrachet, Bâtard Montrachet and the village of Puligny Montrachet far below. Domaine Olivier Leflaive owns a single half acre parcel running down the center of the 19 acre vineyard. Vines average more the 55 years old and are farmed biodynamically in shallow soils made up primarily of shale.
Vinification: Grapes are hand harvested and pressed as whole berries. Fermentation occurs entirely in oak barrels, 30% of which are new. Aging lasts 12 months in oak followed by an additional 5 months in stainless steel prior to bottling. The complete wines are lightly fined and filtered.
Additional Information
The texture combines power and tone, richness and delicacy. A fine wine with perfect balance. A little lighter than les Montrachet, it develops more towards a mineral wine.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Chevalier–Montrachet
- Winemaker: Franck Grux
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Shale
- Vineyard Acreage: .2 of 7.5ha
- Avg Vine Age: 55 years
- Alcohol: 12%
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Recent Press
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Burghound Author: Allen Meadows
Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2018This is also reduced but there is a fine sense of underlying tension and freshness to the precise and markedly mineral-driven middle weight flavors that terminate in a saline infused, moderately austere but slightly clipped and short finish where notes of bitter lemon and wood appear. I like the underlying material and this will probably come together in time but it would be fair to observe that this is pretty awkward at present.Grade: 91-93 Points -
Score: 95 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
Date: Friday, June 15, 2018Vanilla, clove and smoke notes from the generous oak embrace peach, spiced apple and lemon cake flavors in a harmonious manner. Fine, vibrant acidity and the lush spice accents remain saturated on the long finish.
