Olivier Leflaive : Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand cru 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 by Olivier Leflaive

Tasting notes

Colour
The wine shows a luminous hue, ranging from pale yellow to straw yellow, enhanced by delicate golden highlights and a lovely brilliance.

Nose
Remarkably pure, the aromatic bouquet opens with floral notes reminiscent of vine blossom. It then develops scents of candied citrus fruit, harmoniously underscored by subtle hints of toasted almonds.

Palate
The attack is ample and refined, offering a dense body and a silky texture. The palate is underpinned by remarkable tension and a precise mineral framework. The long, mouthwatering finish extends into noble bitterness evoking citrus zest.

Food and wine pairing

This grand cru pairs wonderfully with noble shellfish with delicate flesh, and particularly well with grilled lobster or flavourful crayfish.

Serving and cellaring

With significant ageing potential, this Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 can be enjoyed after a few years in the cellar and will continue to gain complexity until 2032.

The Finesse and Rarity of a Burgundy Grand Cru by Olivier Leflaive

The estate

Founded in 1984 in the heart of Burgundy, the négociant-éleveur house Olivier Leflaive is a true institution of Puligny-Montrachet. Although the family's winemaking history dates back to 1717, it is this modern structure that has succeeded in establishing its haute couture approach. Today, Julie Leflaive, supported by Jean Soubeyrand, runs the estate. The domaine relies on its own 26-hectare vineyard, certified Haute Valeur Environnementale, complemented by rigorous partnerships, allowing it to vinify grapes from 82 climats spread over around a hundred hectares.

The vineyard

This Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet is a prestigious climat located on the lower part of the Montrachet hillside, at an altitude of between 230 and 250 metres. The house sustainably farms a tiny plot planted in 1972, on soils composed of clay and brown limestone. This micro-production is harvested entirely by hand, illustrating the exceptional rarity of this terroir.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage was marked by historically early ripening. After a mild winter and a warm spring that accelerated the vegetative cycle, July and August proved particularly hot and dry. This significant water deficit kept the vines in impeccable health, leading to early harvests in August with highly concentrated berries.

Vinification and ageing

To craft this Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020, whole bunches undergo gentle, gradual pneumatic pressing. After 24 hours of static settling, the juices begin alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Ageing lasts 18 months, including 5 months in stainless steel tanks. The wine rests exclusively in one-year-old French oak barrels, with no new oak whatsoever, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the identity of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.