Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru — 2021
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Introduction
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The roots of the Leflaive family go back to 1717 when Claude Leflaive took up residence in Puligny Montrachet, intent upon cultivating several acres of vineyards. The domaine, in its present form, was created by Joseph Leflaive between the years of 1910-1930, as a result of his successive purchases of vineyards and houses.
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Vineyard Profile
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Entirely located in the town of Puligny, this Grand Cru was first mentioned back in 1397 when the abbey of Maizière purchased some of it. Old records mentioned that this plot might have been planted with Gamay and Pinot Noir a few hundred years ago. When Dr. Lavalle published his classification of Bourgogne back in 1855, the climat was already planted to Chardonnay.
- Vineyards: 1 parcel in Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet. 1 single plot in which the row runs from top to bottom (west to east), 1ha 15a (2.84 acres) of the appellation.
- Appellation: Côtes de Beaune, Puligny Montrachet
- Location: Bourgogne
- Cultivation: 100% biodynamic
- Vine Age: Planted 1958 and 1959
- Soil: Calcareous clay
- Exposure: West - East exposure
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Vintage Report
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Marked by frost and humidity, this year proved to be particularly difficult for the vines.
With premature advances in the vineyards in March due to warm spring-like temperatures, the losses from early April frosts proved to be quite extreme (30%-80% in some vineyards). June offered an alternation of stormy periods and heat, including an episode of hail on the 21st in Solutré. The pressure from mildew and powdery mildew was a constant this year, with a rainy period in July, requiring expert intervention from our vineyard teams. In August and September, we observed a significant rise in temperatures which allowed for the maturity of the grapes to catch up. Harvest began on September 22nd for a period of 8 days, before the rain returned.
In this complicated year, between frost and humidity, the maturity remained remarkable with degrees (12.5% potential alcohol) offering promise for a most satisfying vintage.
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Vinification
- Fermentation: Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, decanting over 24 hours, then racking and running into cask of the must.
- Barrel Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation in oak casks, 25% new (maximum 1/2 Vosges, minimum 1/2 Allier)
- Filtration: Homeopathic fining and very light filtering at bottling, if necessary
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13%
Images
Reviews
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Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru — 2021 – Vinous – 96 Points
"The 2021 Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru has a focused, uncompromising bouquet with a strong marine influence: touches of oyster shell and a hint of orange blossom. The palate is very well-balanced with a twist of sour lemon. There’s very good depth – it’s sapid and quite bold towards the finish. This is a Bienvenue with driving ambition.”
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Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru — 2021 – Wine Advocate – 94 Points
“The 2021 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is attractive, unwinding in the glass to reveal aromas of honeyed pears, white flowers, toasted hazelnuts and drawn butter, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered palate with good depth at the core and the same impression of chalky structuring extract that characterizes the domaine's Pucelles this year.”