Olivier Leflaive : Santenay 1er cru "Passetemps" 2025

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Santenay 1er Cru "Passetemps" 2025 by Olivier Leflaive

Tasting

Colour
Typically, this wine reveals a beautiful deep red colour, at times tending towards crimson.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet generally expresses great generosity, dominated by ripe red fruit aromas such as strawberry and cherry. Floral nuances, along with subtle pastry and smoky touches, often enrich this palette.

Palate
On the palate, this cru usually offers a full, enveloping texture. The structure is underpinned by exceptionally fine tannins, while perfectly balanced acidity brings freshness and prolongs the finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted white meats, such as roast pork or stuffed guinea fowl legs. It is also an excellent companion to turkey with figs, slow-cooked meats or a fine platter of mature Burgundy cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate this wine, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 17 and 19 °C. Designed to evolve favourably, it has an ageing potential of around seven to eight years.

The Expression of an Essential Burgundy Terroir by Maison Olivier Leflaive

The Estate

Founded in 1984 in the heart of Burgundy, in Puligny-Montrachet, Maison Olivier Leflaive quickly established itself as an essential name. Representing the 18th generation of his family, the founder devised a bespoke négoce model complementing an estate vineyard of 26 hectares. Today, the estate is run by his daughter, Julie Leflaive, alongside Jean Soubeyrand. Certified High Environmental Value (Haute Valeur Environnementale), the estate stands out for its respectful approach to its terroirs and its pioneering role in local wine tourism.

The Vineyard

Located at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, the terroir of Santenay marks the transition to the Côte Chalonnaise. The "Passetemps" climat lies on a south-east-facing slope, at an ideal altitude of between 240 and 260 metres. The vines, around thirty years old on average, thrive in brown limestone soils rich in blue clay. The vineyard is managed using sustainable practices, with Cordon de Royat pruning helping to control yields and ensure optimal grape quality.

Vinification and Ageing

The harvest is carried out entirely by hand in order to preserve the integrity of the berries. Although the specific details of the 2025 vintage have not yet been revealed, the house philosophy for this cuvée favours complete destemming followed by fermentation in open vats. The wine is then aged for a long period of 16 months, using a measured proportion of oak barrels and sometimes a stint in stainless steel tank to perfect the final blend.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir.