Producer Profile
Domaine Leflaive
Domaine Leflaive, based in Puligny-Montrachet, is one of the most reputable producers in the Cote de Beaune. They produce four Grand Cru wines and four Premier Cru wines. They have land in Chevalier-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet; making a Grand Cru wine from each of these. They are renowned for their excellent expressions of Chardonnay, making them one of the most sought-after producers of Burgundian white.
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 he set about replanting them and expanding the vineyards. Upon his death in 1953, his sons Vincent and Jo took over the estate, and they are widely credited with establishing the reputation which Leflaive enjoys today.
In 1990, cousins Anne Claude and Olivier Leflaive took over the running of the estate. They converted to biodynamic practices in 1977, and were considered a pioneer of this movement in Burgundy.
The estate is now managed by Brice de la Morandiere, with Eric Remy in control of the winemaking. They now have 22 hectares of vineyards, including 10 hectares of Premier Cru and 5 covering Grand Crus. The wines are aged for 12 months in 25% new oak, then transferred to steel tanks where they clarify naturally. They are then fined and bottled. The results are superb wines which combine richness and depth of fruit with refinement and perfect balance. They even appeared on auction house Christie’s list of top Burgundy producers to collect.
