Wine Advisor
Leflaive, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2016 Batard Montrachet Grand Cru was vinified together rather than in four different parcels due to the frost (in fact one plot was pulled out). It has a much more involving and expressive bouquet compared to the Bienvenues. The palate is slightly viscous on the entry countered by a keen thread of acidity, not as tensile as the Bienvenues but surprisingly richer than one would have expected, with traces of wild honey toward the caressing finish. This may well turn out to be the pick of Leflaive's 2016s.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Quite funky nose with a hint of chutney. A ripe, creamy wine with serious tannins that you’ll either go for or not. Altogether a bit obvious, but there’s plenty of depth and good length. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
About the Producer
Domaine Leflaive, based in Puligny-Montrachet, is one of the most important producers in the Côte de Beaune. Focusing almost entirely on white wines made from Chardonnay, the Domaine makes four grand cru wines and four premier crus in Puligny-Montrachet. The Domaine was founded by Joseph Leflaive, a former engineer. In 1905, he purchased vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet which had been ravaged by phylloxera, and set about replanting and expanding them. Upon his death in 1953, his sons Vincent and Jo took over the running of the estate, and are widely credited with building up the reputation that Leflaive enjoys today. In 1990, cousins Anne Claude and Olivier Leflaive took over the running of the estate, with Olivier leaving in 1994 to run his own negociant business. Anne Claude converted the vineyards to biodynamics and is considered a pioneer of that movement in Burgundy. After her death in 2015, her nephew Brice de la Morandiere has taken over the running of Domaine Leflaive. Domaine Leflaive's most important wine is arguably the Montrachet Grand Cru, which, depending on vintage, can fetch upwards of $5000 a bottle. The domaine also has land in Chevalier-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, and makes a grand cru wine from each. Additional to this, there are several premier cru wines, the most important of which is probably the Les Clavoillon, which was one of the wines included in the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Domaine Leflaive also makes a sole red wine from Pinot Noir under the Blagny Sous le Dos d'Ane Premier Cru title.
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