Domaines Leflaive : Rully 1er cru Leflaive & Associés 2015

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Rully 1er Cru Leflaive & Associés 2015 from Domaine Leflaive

Tasting

Nose

The nose is complex and elegant, revealing aromas of citrus and pear, lifted by spicy notes. Minerality comes through in nuances of limestone and oyster shell, bringing a lovely freshness to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this white wine charms with its approachable youth and fine aromatic complexity. Flavors of pear and blanched almonds are enhanced by spicy and mineral touches. A creamy texture coats the palate, while freshness carries through to the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Rully 1er Cru is an ideal match for fish in sauce and seafood. It also pairs beautifully with poultry in cream and Herbes de Provence, as well as with goat cheeses. Dishes featuring Comté make for another harmonious pairing.

Serving and cellaring

The Rully 1er Cru Leflaive & Associés 2015 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. It is recommended to open the bottle one to two hours before serving, or to decant it to encourage aromatic expression. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2021.

A biodynamic Rully 1er Cru showcasing the Burgundy excellence of Domaine Leflaive

The estate

The Domaine Leflaive is one of Burgundy’s essential benchmarks. Founded in 1905 by Joseph Leflaive, who acquired 25 hectares of vineyards damaged by phylloxera, the estate now spans 24 hectares in Puligny-Montrachet. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture since 1996, it is currently run by Brice de La Morandière, the founder’s great-grandson, who took the reins in 2015. The estate stands out for its environmental commitment and for producing outstanding white wines that precisely express the minerality and complexity of Burgundy terroirs.

The vineyard

This Rully 1er Cru comes from plots located in the Côte Chalonnaise, south of the Côte de Beaune. The vines benefit from southern and eastern exposures on clay-limestone soils typical of the appellation. This region offers ideal conditions for Chardonnay, producing wines of fine mineral finesse at more accessible prices than those of the Côte d'Or, while maintaining remarkable quality.

The vintage

The year 2015 in Burgundy was marked by significant climatic contrasts. After a mild winter, an icy spring was followed by a prolonged heatwave from mid-May to mid-August, with exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. These conditions yielded perfectly ripe, well-balanced grapes with fine concentration and excellent aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Rully 1er Cru Leflaive & Associés 2015 are fully destemmed, then gently pressed using a pneumatic press. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels with precise temperature control. Aging lasts around twelve months, split between four months in stainless-steel tanks and eight months in oak barrels, 15% of which are new. This proportion brings complexity without masking the expression of the fruit and the minerality of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay