2010 Chevalier Montrachet
By Domaine Leflaive
2008 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
As the curtain rises on the distinguished 2008 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, it's vital to acquaint ourselves with the elements that nurture this vintage’s distinctive character. A vigneron's triumph, this vintage encapsulates an intricate dance amidst challenging weather conditions, resulting in an expression of Chardonnay that astutely carries the terroir's voice.
Encountering Elegance: A Worthy Contemplation
In a region where the interplay of climatic whims and winemaker wisdom leads to profound oenological narratives, the 2008 vintage stands out for its architectural finesse. Poised between tension and opulence, this wine unfolds with meticulous complexity. The season’s temperamental back and forth - a cold spring threatening frost, a sober summer seasoned with hailstorms, followed by a defining September sun - culminated in grapes that wove austerity into concentration. The resultant alchemy in this luminous elixir reflects resilience leading to elegance.
Crafting Investment-Worthy Collections
Connoisseurs and investors alike seek wines that transcend the boundaries of mere beverage to become storytellers of their epoch. The 2008 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive does precisely this. With meditative intensity, it delivers a palate layered with citrus-tinged vivacity and a nuanced grace of floral undertones. The texture captures a mineral-driven lineage that traces back to the painstakingly nurtured vines rooted deeply within the hallowed limestone soils. It is nothing short of serendipitous that a season fraught with challenges resulted in an opus so vividly realised, reaffirming the mastery inherent at Domaine Leflaive.
In summation, to encounter the 2008 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet is to understand patience and fortitude translated through viticulture into liquid form. Nestled at the crossroads of investment prospects and pure sensory delight, this vintage beckons with its own remarkable story – one written in the annals of Burgundian greatness.Market price (CAD)
$26,250.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
1051.33
Scores and tasting notes
The 2010 Chevalier-Montrachet comes across as quite subtle at this stage. Today it appears to lack some mid-palate depth and concentration, but that may come as the wine fleshes out with further time in bottle. Even though it is quite beautiful from a textural standpoint, the Chevalier is the least expressive of the grand crus. With time in the glass, gorgeous floral notes and hints of honey blossom as the Chevalier shows off its sensual personality and beautifully layered fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2020+. Estate Manager Eric Remy has one of the sharpest memories of anyone I have ever met. His recall of specific dates and events is quite remarkable, so I will take advantage of that in reporting a very complete picture of the 2010 growing season. Accoring to Remy, in order to gain some insight on 2010, one has to start with the brutal frost of December 19, 2009, when temperatures dropped to a bone chilling -20C/-4F after having hovered around freezing for a few days prior. The very next day, temperatures shot up to 10C/50F. January was quite dry. A bit of snow fell in early February, but the rest of the month was dry. The last frosts at the domaine were recorded from March 10-14. The weather improved in April, especially towards the end of the month. May and June were cold. Flowering in the domine’s vineyards started on June 5th and ended between June 20 and 22. The first part of July was hot but stable, while the second part of the month was cold and humid. Unstable conditions persisted throughout August. A hailstorm with heavy thunder in Santenay on September 12 was a sign harvest time was approaching. A bit of botrytis was recorded on September 17. The harvest started on September 20. Yields came in around 45 hectoliters per hectare, pretty much in line with 2009, the only domaine I visited where that is the case. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 2012