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domaine_leflaive [2021/03/29 09:43] rayner.cheung [Background information] |
domaine_leflaive [2021/03/30 14:51] rayner.cheung [Background information] |
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| * **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 vintage. Those 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 the abysmal experiences of at least 2 generations of customers, whose bottles of Leflaive grands & premiers crus had to be decanted into a drain, into a handsome profit opportunity. [Rayner Cheung] | + | * 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 vintage. Those 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] |
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| ===== Winemaking Notes ===== | ===== Winemaking Notes ===== | ||
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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 all 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] | + | * **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) | ||