Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles (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: Les Pucelles borders Bâtard and Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet directly to its south and shares an almost identical terroir. The domaine owns a sigle plot of 3/4 of an an acre along the south border of the 17 acres 1er Cru. Vines are farmed biodynamically and average 57 years old in argilo-calcareous soils.

Vinification: Grapes are hand harvested and pressed as whole berries upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation occurs entirely in oak, 35% 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

Green golden in color, with spectacularly fragrant and mouth-wateringly beautiful aromas. On the palate this is rich yet elegant, with sumptuous fruit concentration, vibrant acidity, and fantastic, creamy texture.

Technical Details

  • Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet
  • Winemaker: Franck Grux
  • Sustainability: Organic Practices
  • Soil: Argilo-calcareous
  • Vineyard Acreage: .3ha
  • Alcohol: 12%
  • Sizes Available: 750ml
  • Pack Size: 6/750ml
  • Varietals: 100% Chardonnay

Recent Press

  • Score: 95 Points

    Wine Spectator Insider Author: Bruce Sanderson
    Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
    "Defined by its vivid structure, this white features lime blossom, peach, citronella and baking spice flavors. Balanced and mouthwatering, ends with a long, spicy aftertaste. Best from 2023 through 2033."
  • The Wine Advocate Author: William Kelley
    Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
    "The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles (Récolte du Domaine) has turned out brilliantly, continuing this cuvée's consistent record of excellence. Mingling notes of pear and crisp yellow apple with hints of citrus oil, fresh bread and toasted almonds, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, with a satiny attack that segues into a deep and nicely concentrated core, concluding with a long, saline finish. I suspect this will show even better with some bottle age."
    Grade: 93+ points

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