Olivier Leflaive : Santenay 1er cru "Passetemps" 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Santenay 1er Cru "Passetemps" 2024 Olivier Leflaive

Tasting

Colour
A beautiful crimson hue reveals itself, with a slight transparency reflecting a delicate extraction.

Nose
Generous and gourmand, the nose exudes aromas of ripe red fruit compote, enhanced by enticing pastry notes reminiscent of brioche and vanilla.

Palate
Full-bodied and enveloping, the palate seduces with its unexpected roundness. Supported by a well-judged acidity that lends it a lively, lingering finish, it reveals remarkably fine tannins along with subtle smoky nuances.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roast pork, turkey stuffed with figs, or guinea fowl thighs. More broadly, it will be an excellent match for poultry, mushroom-based dishes, fine charcuterie, or mild-flavoured cheeses.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment, this Santenay 1er Cru "Passetemps" 2024 should be served at a temperature of 17 to 19°C. This wine can continue to age in the cellar and be enjoyed until around 2033.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%.

The elegance and resilience of a Santenay 1er Cru by Olivier Leflaive

The estate

Founded in 1984 by Olivier Leflaive, the House of Olivier Leflaive quickly established itself as an essential name in Burgundy. Distinct from the historic family estate, this "Haute Couture" négociant house is now led by Julie Leflaive, who took over in 2020. Representing 82 climats and cultivating around a hundred hectares of vines, the estate stands out for its exacting quality standards and environmentally responsible practices, recognised with Level 3 High Environmental Value certification.

The vineyard

Located in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune, the terroir of the "Passetemps" premier cru climat within the Santenay appellation benefits from an ideal south-easterly exposure. The vines, averaging around thirty years of age, thrive between 240 and 260 metres in altitude on brown limestone soils rich in blue clay. The vineyard is managed using sustainable farming practices, with Cordon de Royat pruning promoting optimal foliage aeration.

The vintage

2024 will be remembered as a particularly challenging season for Burgundy's winegrowers. Following an early budbreak in mid-March, the growing cycle was disrupted by storms, hail, and record rainfall that fostered strong mildew pressure. Despite these major climatic challenges and very low yields, the harvest, which began in mid-September under dry and windy conditions, yielded grapes of unexpectedly high quality.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for this Santenay 1er Cru "Passetemps" 2024 were harvested entirely by hand. After complete destemming, alcoholic fermentation took place in open vats over exactly fifteen days, punctuated by regular pump-overs. The wine was then aged for sixteen months exclusively in 300-litre barrels, including four months as a blended batch, to preserve the full purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir