Olivier Leflaive : Montrachet Grand cru 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the 2023 Montrachet Grand Cru by Olivier Leflaive

Tasting

Color
This white wine reveals a green-gold hue, highlighting its vitality.

Nose
The nose reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity that unfolds with aeration, offering notes of stone fruit, toasted hazelnut, and subtle herbaceous touches.

Palate
On the palate, the wine stands out for its volume and presence. It offers a fine balance between minerality and generosity, supported by a lively, mouth-watering acidity. The finish lingers with wonderful amplitude.

Food and Wine Pairing

The estate recommends pairing this wine with a warmed Brillat-Savarin cheese and fresh figs. It also pairs perfectly with seafood such as oysters or lobster, as well as with fruity foie gras or white meats in a cream and mushroom sauce.

Serving and Cellaring

For an optimal tasting experience, this wine should be served at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. This grand cru has a fine structure allowing for long cellaring, and can be enjoyed until around 2035.

The richness and complexity of a white wine from Burgundy

The Estate

Founded in 1984 by Olivier Leflaive and his brother, the Olivier Leflaive House is a well-known name in Burgundy, based in Puligny-Montrachet. The estate now spans 26 hectares of vines certified High Environmental Value. The House's philosophy is built on respect for the terroir and a tailored approach to each individual plot. Today, the estate is led by Jean Soubeyrand, Chairman of the Management Board, alongside Solène Panigai, Technical Director. Together, they carry on the family's expertise in crafting elegant white wines.

The Vineyard

The Montrachet appellation covers just eight hectares, spread across the communes of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. Located on the mid-slope, at an altitude of around 300 meters, the vines grow on brown limestone soils that provide excellent drainage. The presence of a specific marl adds a distinctive mineral dimension to this terroir.

The Vintage

2023 was marked by record temperatures throughout the growing season, causing significant water stress for the vines. Fungal disease pressure was also high. These extreme climatic conditions led to uneven berry ripening, requiring a rigorous selection during the manual harvest to retain only the healthiest fruit.

Winemaking and Aging

The whole clusters are gently pressed before a 24-hour static settling. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in French oak barrels. Aging lasts 18 months, including six months of bulk blending. The wine matures in relatively young oak barrels, 25% of which are new and specifically toasted.

Grape Variety

Chardonnay (100%).