Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes — 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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Located at the same altitude of the Bâtard, on the north side of the Puligny appellation, and facing the famous Premier Cru Charmes in Meursault. This is the smallest holding of Puligny from Domaine Leflaive, bringing together the murisaltiens depth with the pulignieusiens minerality and elegance. A true gem!
- Vineyards: 1 parcel in Puligny-Montrachet, 73a (1.8 acres). Planted in 1963 and 1972.
- Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes, Burgundy
- Location: 1 parcel in Puligny-Montrachet
- Cultivation: 100% biodynamic
- Size: 0.73 hectare (1.8 acres)
- Vine Age: Planted 1963, 1972
- Soil: Calcareous clay
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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
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Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, decanting over 24 hours, then racking and running into cask of the must.
- Barrel Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation in oak casks, 22% new (maximum 1/2 Vosges, minimum 1/2 allier)
- Aging: Matured 12 months in cask, aged 6 months in tank, then prepared for bottling
- Filtration: 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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Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Combettes — 2021 – Vinous – 95 Points
"The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1er Cru has a very old-school nose: shucked oyster shell and sea spray here, touches of petrichor. It's backward for now, but there is clearly a lot of intensity here. The palate is well-balanced with a killer line of acidity, linear and focused with a touch of lime and grapefruit towards the sustained finish. Superb.”
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Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Combettes — 2021 – Wine Advocate – 94+ Points
“The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes is another impressive wine in a succession of hits for this premier cru chez Leflaive, where old vines on the cusp of being ripped up have been rehabilitated into more regular production. Opening in the glass with a reductive bouquet of ripe citrus fruit, iodine, dried white flowers and mint, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with lovely depth and texture to match the cut and tension of the vintage.”