Wine Advisor
Leflaive, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2009
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2009 Batard-Montrachet positively explodes from the glass. Round, sweet and expressive, the wine saturates the palate with masses of fruit in a bold, powerful style that is utterly irresistible. The finish is intense and resonant in all directions. Remy notes that the Batard is the only 2009 above 14% in alcohol. Anticipated maturity: 2017+. Domaine Leflaive is one of the pioneers in biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy. The first experiments began in 1990 and by 1997 all of the vineyards had been converted to biodynamic farming. Winemaker Eric Remy describes the 2009 growing season in considerable detail. The winter was long but mild. The last frost occurred on March 23. Temperatures were normal until the last week of the month, when the weather turned warmer. Flowering began on May 22. The rest of the spring and summer were warm, while a big storm in mid-July dropped 8cm of rain. The rest of the summer was quite warm. The harvest began on September 5, about ten days earlier than normal. Average yields were around 45 hectoliters per hectare. The wines were aged for 12 months in oak followed by 6-8 months in steel. New oak ranged from 10% for the Bourgogne, 15% for the villages, 20% for the premier crus and 25% for the grand crus. The 2009s were bottled between April and June 2011. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted out of stainless-steel tank at the Domaine. The Batard-Montrachet has a very complex bouquet with scents of white peach, pear, limestone and dried honey. Powerful and gaining intensity in the glass. The palate is quite rich and very dense on the entry, layers of mineral-rich green fruit, dew-speckled green apples, watermelon, grapefruit and a touch of spice towards the long, dare I say, explosive finish. Superb. Tasted January 2011.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2009 Batard-Montrachet positively explodes from the glass. Round, sweet and expressive, the wine saturates the palate with masses of fruit in a bold, powerful style that is utterly irresistible. The finish is intense and resonant in all directions. Remy notes that the Batard is the only 2009 above 14% in alcohol. Anticipated maturity: 2017+. Domaine Leflaive is one of the pioneers in biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy. The first experiments began in 1990 and by 1997 all of the vineyards had been converted to biodynamic farming. Winemaker Eric Remy describes the 2009 growing season in considerable detail. The winter was long but mild. The last frost occurred on March 23. Temperatures were normal until the last week of the month, when the weather turned warmer. Flowering began on May 22. The rest of the spring and summer were warm, while a big storm in mid-July dropped 8cm of rain. The rest of the summer was quite warm. The harvest began on September 5, about ten days earlier than normal. Average yields were around 45 hectoliters per hectare. The wines were aged for 12 months in oak followed by 6-8 months in steel. New oak ranged from 10% for the Bourgogne, 15% for the villages, 20% for the premier crus and 25% for the grand crus. The 2009s were bottled between April and June 2011. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2009 Bâtard-Montrachet positively explodes from the glass. Round, sweet and expressive, the wine saturates the palate with masses of fruit in a bold, powerful style that is utterly irresistible. The finish is intense and resonant in all directions. Remy notes that the Bâtard is the only 2009 above 14% in alcohol.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright, green-tinged yellow. Lime, powdered stone and mint on the nose, along with a buttery nuance. Dense, saline, sappy and intensely flavored; offers very good cut for a wine with such breadth and richness. The white peach and lime tea flavors are complemented by a hint of exotic fruits. Much more powerful and chewy than the Bienvenue (this is 13.5% alcohol), not to mention more structured. Finishes with a whiplash of mirabelle, honey and jasmine.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Pale yellow; based on color alone this seems riper than the Bienvenues, which is from an adjacent parcel. Aromas of peach, white flowers and linden tea, plus a hint of honey. Then rich, ripe and opulent in the mouth, boasting a much more silky texture, and greater power, than the Bienvenues (there's less topsoil here). Shows the sugar/acid balance of a perfectly ripe peach. Flavors of pear and tilleul contribute complexity to this succulent and fleshy wine.
About the Producer
Domaine Leflaive, based in Puligny-Montrachet, is one of the most important producers in the Côte de Beaune. Focusing almost entirely on white wines made from Chardonnay, the Domaine makes four grand cru wines and four premier crus in Puligny-Montrachet. The Domaine was founded by Joseph Leflaive, a former engineer. In 1905, he purchased vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet which had been ravaged by phylloxera, and set about replanting and expanding them. Upon his death in 1953, his sons Vincent and Jo took over the running of the estate, and are widely credited with building up the reputation that Leflaive enjoys today. In 1990, cousins Anne Claude and Olivier Leflaive took over the running of the estate, with Olivier leaving in 1994 to run his own negociant business. Anne Claude converted the vineyards to biodynamics and is considered a pioneer of that movement in Burgundy. After her death in 2015, her nephew Brice de la Morandiere has taken over the running of Domaine Leflaive. Domaine Leflaive's most important wine is arguably the Montrachet Grand Cru, which, depending on vintage, can fetch upwards of $5000 a bottle. The domaine also has land in Chevalier-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, and makes a grand cru wine from each. Additional to this, there are several premier cru wines, the most important of which is probably the Les Clavoillon, which was one of the wines included in the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Domaine Leflaive also makes a sole red wine from Pinot Noir under the Blagny Sous le Dos d'Ane Premier Cru title.
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