2011 Domaine Leflaive
2011 Domaine Leflaive wines just started arriving to retail shops around the country, and I did not miss the opportunity the taste the entire lineup from Bourgogne blanc up through premier crus. Sadly, grand crus were not yet available to taste, but perhaps it's for the better, as even the premier's are enough to do serious damage to one's wallet - Les Pucelles is starting to approach $300/bottle. Overall, this tasting confirmed what I have already been observing, which is that 2011 whites are very charming, with excellent balance, albeit not as much structure or concentration as 2010's, but still very enjoyable now and in the medium term. The Leflaive's all had superb acidity which makes me believe they will last a long time too, while already being delicious.
Tasting Notes
2011 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc - high acidity, high minerality, slight bitter note of citrus peel, tons of pronounced lemon/lime, almost chablis-like, flower water, pretty but lacking depth, and somewhat dominated by citrus acidity. This should be good with seafood, but not as pleasant by itself. Doesn't seem worth $50+.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet - big step up in extract, depth, and texture, really good, tingling my tongue. Wow, this really punches about its weight.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Clavoillon"- slate on the nose and palate, seawater, a little honey on the finish. Nice.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Les Folatieres" - the most elegant wine of the lineup, a slight and pretty hint of cream and vanilla, but not oaky at all, white flowers and beautiful acid.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Les Combettes" - barely a hint of rubber skid marks and toast, strong lime, intense finish. Super long, but the toast and very strong lime stick out a bit.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Les Pucelles" - sweeter fruit, luscious, very balanced and intense. An impressive wine.
All in all, a terrific showing for these wines - I loved the Chablis-like character with pronounced lemon/lime and slate. For my palate and money, I was most impressed with the Puligny-Montrachet villages and the Folatieres. The village Puligny was probably the best I've had from this domaine in many vintages. The basic Bourgogne was not bad, although not as good as 2010 and 2007 that I have had recently. You cannot go wrong with the Pucelles, if you can afford it.
Tasting Notes
2011 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc - high acidity, high minerality, slight bitter note of citrus peel, tons of pronounced lemon/lime, almost chablis-like, flower water, pretty but lacking depth, and somewhat dominated by citrus acidity. This should be good with seafood, but not as pleasant by itself. Doesn't seem worth $50+.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet - big step up in extract, depth, and texture, really good, tingling my tongue. Wow, this really punches about its weight.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Clavoillon"- slate on the nose and palate, seawater, a little honey on the finish. Nice.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Les Folatieres" - the most elegant wine of the lineup, a slight and pretty hint of cream and vanilla, but not oaky at all, white flowers and beautiful acid.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Les Combettes" - barely a hint of rubber skid marks and toast, strong lime, intense finish. Super long, but the toast and very strong lime stick out a bit.
2011 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet "Les Pucelles" - sweeter fruit, luscious, very balanced and intense. An impressive wine.
All in all, a terrific showing for these wines - I loved the Chablis-like character with pronounced lemon/lime and slate. For my palate and money, I was most impressed with the Puligny-Montrachet villages and the Folatieres. The village Puligny was probably the best I've had from this domaine in many vintages. The basic Bourgogne was not bad, although not as good as 2010 and 2007 that I have had recently. You cannot go wrong with the Pucelles, if you can afford it.
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