2018 Meursault Goutte d'Or
By Domaine des Comtes Lafon
2016 Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
The grandeur of the 2016 vintage in Burgundy is exemplified by the compelling Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive – a wine that encapsulates the quintessence of its terroir amid climatic adversity. Despite a year challenged by frost and mildew, which diminished yields and required heroic viticultural efforts, the resultant wines from surviving parcels are imbued with a transcendent concentration and aromatic complexity.
Delving into the Elegance of Resilience
The 2016 Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive is a testament to the mastery of this renowned producer, showcasing a resplendent balance between power and finesse. Guided by biodynamic principles, even in a year like 2016, where nature's trials were potent, this embodiment of Chardonnay reaches heights seldom achieved. The scarcity induced by the season's low yields positions this offering as a compelling pursuit for discerning wine investors seeking rarified bottles for their collections.
A Vintage Defined by Its Purity and Depth
The wine's palate delights in articulating the nuances of its vintage – a confluence of rich stone fruit nuances, intertwined with hints of toasted hazelnut and nuanced floral undertones. This creates an engaging dialogue between fruit intensity and refined minerality, all held together by an exquisitely judged line of acidity. Such balance posits the 2016 Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive as a significant wine for consideration in investment portfolios, particularly given its representation of an arduous yet serendipitous vintage.
To savor the 2016 Batard-Montrachet is to participate in a historical narrative of triumph over nature’s austerity. From first pour to last savoured droplet, it engenders respect for the hands that nurtured it and answers the call of collectors aiming to secure transcendent expressions of Burgundian Chardonnay. It stands indubitably as one of those singular experiences that weave together the fabric of great wine legacies.
Market price (HKD)
HK$30,140.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
262.5
Scores and tasting notes
As usual, the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Goutte d'Or, which derives from clay-rich soils, makes for quite a contrast after the Bouchères, where the soils are richer in active calcium. Unwinding to reveal aromas of citrus oil, fresh peach, white flowers and a deft touch of minty new oak, the wine is medium to full-bodied, muscular and incisive, with a deeper and more structured profile than the ethereal Bouchères.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 9 January 2020