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domaine_leflaive [2020/06/21 14:12]
jammywine [2000]
domaine_leflaive [2021/05/17 18:56]
rayner.cheung [2010]
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 ===== Background information ===== ===== Background information =====
  
-  * **Ed. Note:** For a decade, Domaine Leflaive was one of the very small group of producers who had virtually no premox problems. But beginning with the 2006 vintage, the Leflaive wines have had HUGE oxidation problems with a large percentage of the bottles oxidized. In the annual vintage assessment dinners, we encountered oxidized Leflaives fromt he 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Domaine Leflaive went from one of the six most reliable white burgundies you could buy -- to one of the worst performers. Many of my friends and colleagues have stopped buying Leflaive altogether. Leflaive now acknowledges premox problems with the 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Beginning with the 2014 vintage, Domaine Leflaive has begun using DIAM 30 closures. Hopefully, that will return Leflaive to the top tier of performers, but at this point I'm concerned about what we'll see from vintages 2009 through 2013 as these wines mature..+  * **Ed. Note:** For a decade, Domaine Leflaive was one of the very small group of producers who had virtually no premox problems. But beginning with the 2006 vintage, the Leflaive wines have had HUGE oxidation problems with a large percentage of the bottles oxidized. In the annual vintage assessment dinners, we encountered oxidized Leflaives fromt he 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Domaine Leflaive went from one of the six most reliable white burgundies you could buy -- to one of the worst performers. Many of my friends and colleagues have stopped buying Leflaive altogether. Leflaive now acknowledges premox problems with the 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Beginning with the 2014 vintage, Domaine Leflaive has begun using DIAM 30 closures. Hopefully, that will return Leflaive to the top tier of performers, but at this point I'm concerned about what we'll see from vintages 2009 through 2013 as these wines mature. 
 +  * There have been rumors for some time (since 2020, if not earlier) that the domaine retasted all of its archives in response to the numerous complaints about serial premature oxidation of its wines starting with the 2005 vintageThose bottles deemed to be in fine condition were topped up, recorked, & sealed with wax (or wax/​composite) capsules, & then released at a substantial premium into the market without any comment beyond the implicit "​assurance"​ provided by the new capsules. I have seen (in Mar. 2021) a 2004 Bienvenues–Bâtard–Montrachet at a reputable retailer in Hong Kong that fits this description,​ with a selling price equivalent to ~US$800. It's pretty cheeky that the domaine has turned into a handsome profit opportunity the abysmal experiences of at least 2 generations of customers, whose bottles of Leflaive grands & premiers crus had to be decanted into a drain. [Rayner Cheung]
 \\  \\ 
 ===== Winemaking Notes ===== ===== Winemaking Notes =====
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   * **Puligny Pucelles**(Jan 2009) not oxidized - excellent wine [R DeAngelo]   * **Puligny Pucelles**(Jan 2009) not oxidized - excellent wine [R DeAngelo]
   * **Puligny Pucelles** (Jan 2010): still incredibly young; no hints of pmox; needs another 5 years (MSaviage)   * **Puligny Pucelles** (Jan 2010): still incredibly young; no hints of pmox; needs another 5 years (MSaviage)
-  * **Puligny Pucelles** (Jan 2020): Not oxidised, very young (Jammy Wine)+  * **Puligny Pucelles** (Jan 2020): Not oxidised, very young [Jammy Wine
 +  * **Puligny Pucelles** (Aug 2020): Another beautiful bottle. Not oxidised. [Jammy Wine]
 ===== 1997 ===== ===== 1997 =====
  
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   * **Batard Montrachet**(July,​ 2011) 2 bottles, neither oxidized. In fact, fantastic. (P Mesrobian)   * **Batard Montrachet**(July,​ 2011) 2 bottles, neither oxidized. In fact, fantastic. (P Mesrobian)
   * **Bienvenue Batard Montrachet**(March 2011) not oxidized (F Ginanni)   * **Bienvenue Batard Montrachet**(March 2011) not oxidized (F Ginanni)
-  * **Bienvenue Batard Montrachet** (Oct 2019): Not oxidised ​(Jammy Wine)+  * **Bienvenue Batard Montrachet** (Oct 2019): Not oxidised ​[Jammy Wine
 +  * **Bienvenue Batard Montrachet** (Sept 2020): Not oxidised, fresh [Jammy Wine]
   * **Bourgogne Blanc**(Feb 2005): oxidised [T Blach]   * **Bourgogne Blanc**(Feb 2005): oxidised [T Blach]
   * **Chevalier Montrachet**(01 Dec 2005): not at all oxidized, surprisingly good [Don Cornwell]   * **Chevalier Montrachet**(01 Dec 2005): not at all oxidized, surprisingly good [Don Cornwell]
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   * **Batard-Montrachet**( Q3 and Q4 , 2011 ) : from the same case ( 6-pack ) : first 3 wines opened : all corked ( Herwig Janssen )   * **Batard-Montrachet**( Q3 and Q4 , 2011 ) : from the same case ( 6-pack ) : first 3 wines opened : all corked ( Herwig Janssen )
   * **Batard-Montrachet**(May 7, 2011) no sign of oxidation; wonderful wine. [Howard Horwitz]   * **Batard-Montrachet**(May 7, 2011) no sign of oxidation; wonderful wine. [Howard Horwitz]
-  * **Batard Montrachet** (Apr. 2016, Dec. 2018, ): btls not oxidized. 2016 btl was decanted & showed some reduction; pleasurable but not yet at optimum drinkability. 2018 btl was not decanted & drinking beautifully. Pure class, with sweet white flowers in the nose & exceptional balance on the palate. From a lot of 3 purchased from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer in Nov. 2014. [Rayner Cheung]+  * **Batard Montrachet** (Apr. 2016, Dec. 2018, & Feb. 2021): btls not oxidized. 2016 btl was decanted & showed some reduction; pleasurable but not yet at optimum drinkability. 2018 & 2021 btls were not decanted & drinking beautifully. Pure class, with sweet white flowers in the nose. Plenty of zest & exceptional balance on the palate. If only all Leflaive wines from subsequent vintages would age like this … . From a lot of 3 purchased from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer in Nov. 2014. [Rayner Cheung]
   * **Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet**(Aug 2005): not oxidised [WK Choy]   * **Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet**(Aug 2005): not oxidised [WK Choy]
   * **Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet**(Aug 2005): not oxidised [Jason Heller]   * **Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet**(Aug 2005): not oxidised [Jason Heller]
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   * **Chevalier Montrachet**(May 2012): Not oxidized, pristine. (APDH)   * **Chevalier Montrachet**(May 2012): Not oxidized, pristine. (APDH)
   * **Chevalier Montrachet** (Jan 2016): Not oxidizied; young and in great shape (Mike Saviage)   * **Chevalier Montrachet** (Jan 2016): Not oxidizied; young and in great shape (Mike Saviage)
 +  * **Chevalier–Montrachet** (Mar. 2021 – ): 1 btl not oxidized. Good color of green–tinged gold. Sensational wine in all respects, heaven in a glass. Smoky lime zest & white flowers in the nose. Glorious flavors of lime marmalade & orchard fruits on the palate. Lively acidity provides just the right balance to the richness of this wine. Reminiscent of the 1996 Chevalier (tasted in 2017) which had many of the same characteristics except that the acidity was overwhelming. From a lot of 2 purchased in Dec. 2013 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
   * **Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d'​Âne**(21 Oct 2011): No sign of oxidation. [H. Horwitz]   * **Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d'​Âne**(21 Oct 2011): No sign of oxidation. [H. Horwitz]
   * **Puligny**(July 2010):super (Adrian Latimer)   * **Puligny**(July 2010):super (Adrian Latimer)
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   * **Batard-Montrachet** (may 8 2012): not oxidised, good fruit and balance, as expected. [Don Osborne]   * **Batard-Montrachet** (may 8 2012): not oxidised, good fruit and balance, as expected. [Don Osborne]
   * **Batard-Montrachet** (July2017): not oxidised, splendid bottle, hurrah!!. [Adrian Latimer]   * **Batard-Montrachet** (July2017): not oxidised, splendid bottle, hurrah!!. [Adrian Latimer]
-  * **Bâtard–Montrachet** (May 2020 – ): 1 btl not oxidized. Decanted. Pale gold. Fabulously honied nose. The sweetness carried over to the stunningly delicious palate that was bursting with freshness. 14% ABV. From a lot of 2 purchased in Sep. 2013 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung] ​+  * **Bâtard–Montrachet** (May 2020, Feb. 2021): 2 btls not oxidized. Decanted. Pale gold. Fabulously honied nose (5/20) & flinty/​smoky nose (2/21). The sweetness carried over to the stunningly delicious palate that was bursting with freshness. 14% ABV. From a lot of 2 purchased in Sep. 2013 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung] ​
   * **Bourgogne** (Aug 2013): not oxidized; young and fresh; incredibly powerful for a Bourgogne-level wine (MSaviage)   * **Bourgogne** (Aug 2013): not oxidized; young and fresh; incredibly powerful for a Bourgogne-level wine (MSaviage)
   * **Bourgogne** (Nov 2015): not oxidized; light straw color with great balance of minerality and fruit (Mike Saviage)   * **Bourgogne** (Nov 2015): not oxidized; light straw color with great balance of minerality and fruit (Mike Saviage)
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 ===== 2010 ===== ===== 2010 =====
  
-  * **Puligny-Montrachet** (Feb 2014): no oxidation. [TSim@rud] +  
-  * **Puligny Pucelles**(Jan 2014): not oxidised [TSim@rud] +  ​
-  ​* **Bienvenue Batard-Montrachet** (Feb 2014): not oxidized. [TSim@rud]+
   * **Batard Montrachet** (Aug 2013); no oxidation and a stunning tight wine[R Younger]   * **Batard Montrachet** (Aug 2013); no oxidation and a stunning tight wine[R Younger]
   * **Batard Montrachet** (Feb 2014); no oxidation and very young[TSim@rud]   * **Batard Montrachet** (Feb 2014); no oxidation and very young[TSim@rud]
 +  * **Bienvenue Batard-Montrachet** (Feb 2014): not oxidized. [TSim@rud]
   * **Chevalier Montrachet** (Feb 2014): no oxidation. [TSim@rud]   * **Chevalier Montrachet** (Feb 2014): no oxidation. [TSim@rud]
 +  * **Puligny-Montrachet** (Feb 2014): no oxidation. [TSim@rud]
   * **Puligny Clavoillon** (Sept 2016): not oxidized but pretty advanced - from magnum no less (R DeAngelo)   * **Puligny Clavoillon** (Sept 2016): not oxidized but pretty advanced - from magnum no less (R DeAngelo)
 +  * **Puligny Montrachet Pucelles**(Jan 2014): not oxidised [TSim@rud]
 +  * **Puligny Montrachet Pucelles**(Sept 2020): Oxidised [Jammy Wine]
 +  * **Puligny–Montrachet "Les Pucelles"​** (May 2021 – ): 1 btl amber gold in color, but the aromatics & flavors were quite fine. Powdered lemon & lime candy, stone, & a little musk in the nose. More citrus on the palate, together with peach pit & lemondrops. A very different style of Pucelles compared to earlier vintages, but appears to be consistent with how the vintage is turning out at comparable domaines. From a lot of 6 purchased in Aug. 2015 from the auction platform of a reputable West Coast retailer. [Rayner Cheung]
 +  ​
 \\  \\ 
 ===== 2011 ===== ===== 2011 =====
  
   * **Puligny Montrachet** (Sep 2014): no oxidation. @Le Bernardin [N. Lau]   * **Puligny Montrachet** (Sep 2014): no oxidation. @Le Bernardin [N. Lau]
  • domaine_leflaive.txt
  • Last modified: 2022/10/30 02:03
  • by rayner.cheung