Wine Advisor
Olivier Leflaive, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has turned out nicely, opening in the glass with notes of buttered orchard fruit, honeycomb, wheat toast and marzipan. Full-bodied, rich and textural, it's fleshy and layered, with bright acids, good depth at the core and a long, delicately toasty finish. Bottled under Diam, it will offer a broad drinking window.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has an overtly peachy bouquet with more conspicuous oak than its peers, though everything seems to be nicely balanced. The palate is well balanced with an oaky entry that rather impedes the terroir and slightly dries out the finish. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting.
About the Producer
Olivier Leflaive, is the blood from Burgundian star winemaking family – the Leflaive family, which has been rooted in Puligny Montrachet since 1717. He was co-manager of Domaine Leflaive in 1982-1994. He started to explore négociant business outside Puligny-Montrachet by Olivier Leflaive Frères. Initially he had no vineyards and bought in grapes from selected growers. In 1988 Franck Grux took over as a winemaker and still holds this role today. Over the two past decades he was able to establish a strong, long-term relationship with the best growers and the quality of the wines is outstanding. Olivier Leflaive is looking for elegance and finesse rather than power. The oak is minimal and his wines are usually attractive young. The wines are hallmarks of elegance and purity. In 2010, after several long years, Olivier and Patrick finally received their family legacy in the form of some fabulous terroirs: Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru; Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru; Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles; Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières; and Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Sous le Dos d’Âne. Today, Leflaive owns about 17 hectares of several parcels in these appellations and also in Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Les Chaumées, Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Les Vergers, Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Abbaye de Morgeot and Chassagne Montrachet Clos St Marc. Production is now around 70,000 cases across 65 different appellations, 85 percent in white wine. Included in the production are his own vineyards which cover 15 hectares in Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault. Wines which are solely from Olivier Leflaive’s own vines are marked ‘Récolte du Domaine’.
