Wine Advisor
Olivier Leflaive, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles 2022
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1er Cru has a subtle menthol note in the background, indicative of the concentration bestowed by the growing season. There's a hint of exoticism, yet it doesn't overwhelm the terroir expression. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a wonderful umami sensation and razor-sharp acidity (incredible in a warm vintage). It is harmonious with a lightly spiced finish and traces of Vervane and white pepper on the aftertaste. Quite mercurial in the glass, I would give this 3-4 years in bottle.
Reviewed by: Jim Gordon
Sophisticated, fresh and lively, with focused citrus, mineral and almond flavors on a zesty, tangy texture and a rather full body. Fine-grained with great tension and a linear profile. So concentrated and so vivid in acidity, this needs several years to come into its own. Best from 2027.
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’.
