An overtly floral suffused nose displays notes of pear compote, citrus confit and subtle spice wisps. There is excellent vibrancy to the attractively textured medium weight flavors that also exude a refreshing salinity on the citrusy, dry and notably more complex finish that is perceptibly firmer. This should age well.

A cool, pure and airy nose is comprised by notes of apple, citrus and white peach. There is once again fine punch and delineation to the middle weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the linear, youthfully austere and bone-dry finale.

Mild reduction blurs the nuance of what appears to be ripe white orchard aromas. There is both excellent volume and salinity to the attractively textured medium-bodied flavors that terminate in a bracingly dry, complex and well-balanced finale.

Ripe and very fresh aromas are comprised by notes of poached pear, green apple citrus ring and a hint of mineral reduction. There is fine richness and solid concentration to the middle weight flavors that possesses a caressing mouthfeel and exhibit fine length on the clean, dry and balanced finale.

Firm reduction dominates the underlying fruit a present. Otherwise, there is fine intensity to the delineated and concentrated medium weight flavors that flash good minerality on the nicely complex and persistent finale. This possesses enough mid-palate fat to be accessible young but should have no trouble aging gracefully.

Elegant and very pretty aromas of petrol, acacia blossom and various white orchard fruit give way to sleek and relatively sophisticated flavors that are once again markedly saline, which only contributes further to the refreshing and persistent finish. This is lovely and understated.

Super-fresh aromas include those of green apple, spice and a plethora of citrus nuances. The medium weight flavors are not quite as dense but they're notably finer and with better precision on the mineral-driven, clean and agreeably dry finale that is just a bit firmer.

A pretty nose is comprised by pronounced floral elements that add a touch of elegance to the bright citrus and apple scents. The middle weight flavors exude a bracing salinity on the clean and nicely dry finale. While this could easily be enjoyed upon release, it offers enough development potential to reward a few years of keeping.

Here too the nose is super-fresh and bright with its array of green apple and citrus rind scents. There is fine intensity to the plump but reasonably defined flavors that also exude a refreshing salinity on the balanced and dry finale.

Scents of pear, white flowers, almond paste, buttered toast, citrus zest and smoke preface the 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, a full-bodied and satiny wine that's layered and fleshy, with a satiny attack that segues into a tightly wound core and a chalky finish. This, too, should reward bottle age.

Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, the 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is a textural, elegantly muscular wine evocative of pear, toasted almonds, white flowers, peach and vanilla pod. Layered and powerful, it concludes with a long, saline finish. It's more dramatic and broader-shouldered than the suave, seamless Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet this year.

The 2018 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with sachets of orange oil, white flowers, crisp orchard fruit, blanched almonds, vanilla pod and buttered toast. Full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, it's deep and multidimensional, with racy acids and a long, electric finish. This is one 2018 white Burgundy that is built for sustained bottle age.

Mingling aromas of orange oil and Anjou pear with hints of white flowers, buttery pastry and toasted nuts, the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d'Ane is medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with a bright spine of acidity and a mineral finish. This has turned out nicely and should reward a bit of bottle age.

A fine effort, the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon wafts from the glass with notes of white flowers, crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh pastry and blanched almonds. Medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, it's elegant and fine-boned, with—as I observed last year—none of the blockiness of yesteryear's Clavoillon.

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes possesses an additional level of concentration this year, and it marks a transition in the portfolio between the charming, giving lower appellations and the rather more serious top premiers and grands crus. Unfurling in the glass with notes of crisp yellow orchard fruit, orange oil, Meyer lemon, almond paste and citrus blossom, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and nicely concentrated, with fine mid-palate amplitude, lively acids and a saline finish.

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières is another of the more immediate, charming wines in the range, offering up notes of crisp orchard fruit, white peach, clear honey, almond paste and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and elegantly enveloping, it's bright and fleshy, with a giving, seductive personality.

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles has also turned out very well, unwinding in the glass with aromas of fresh bread, pear, citrus oil, anise, yellow apple and toasted nuts. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and nicely concentrated, it's deep and seamless, with an elegant, charming profile. Could this evolve like a modern-day version of the domaine's stunningly good 1982?

Domaine Leflaive is an elite producer, owning vines in the top grands and premier crus of Puligny-Montrachet. In 2004, it expanded into the Mâconnais, where is now farms nearly 60 acres. The same exacting standards go into the Mâcon wines, at a fraction of the price. 

The 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has a touch more pungency compared to the Bienvenue, but perhaps not quite the same alluring charm, at least at this primordial stage. The palate is where it’s at: supremely well balanced, exuding a sense of coiled-up energy countered by a dense, persistent finish. A bit of a beast, but time will tame it. Drink 2022 - 2050.

The 2018 Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has a terse, stoic, delineated bouquet with scents of wet limestone and sea spray, just a slight menthol note developing with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. A very pretty, elegant Bienvenue that reveals hints of blood orange and sour lemon on the precise, persistent finish. This is a gorgeous Bienvenue. Drink 2022 - 2048.