2002 Chevalier Montrachet
By Domaine Leflaive
2000 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
The millennium vintage of Burgundy wines brings to mind a period of vinous excitement and auspicious beginnings. At the forefront of this epoch stands the majestic 2000 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive - a beacon of Burgundy's chiselled elegance and profound complexity.
An Oenological Odyssey: The Distinctive 2000 Vintage
Understanding the climate and terroir interplay in 2000 provides an in-depth appreciation for the distinctiveness of this vintage. A moderate winter, followed by a warm spring, gave way to an early flowering season. The consequent summer was characterised by fluctuating temperatures; crucial rainfalls interspersed with sunny spells, sculpting a harvest that required virtuoso viticultural precision. Domaine Leflaive, no stranger to the demands of nature, adeptly managed their vineyards to allow a timely and serene harvest.
Investment Potential and Palate Prestige
In an investor's portfolio, the 2000 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive shines brightly. It holds the stature of insulation against market vicissitudes, shaped by its producer's legacy prestige and the age-worthy structure of the wine itself. Tasters will detect a bouquet where subtlety reigns; ephemeral floral notes embrace toasted almond hints, giving way to an opulent yet poised palate where each sip belies its years with retained freshness and slowly unwinding layers of honeyed fruit against a backdrop of refined minerality.
This wine not only speaks to those who seek gustatory depth but also to astute collectors recognising its impressive ageing trajectory. Indeed, as this vintage matures, the intricate dance between its vibrant acidity and supple structure ensures that it remains as relevant and thrilling today as upon release.
In Summary: The Quintessence of Finesse
The odyssey into the essence of 2000 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive suggests both rarity and reward. As we continuously explore ways to complement our cellars with wise investments that simultaneously allure our palates, this vintage represents an acquisition that gracefully straddles the realms of sensuous pleasure and prudent asset collection. Its tenure in the world of fine wine is marked by its enduring finesse - a hallmark that resonates deeply with connoisseurs and investors alike.
Market price (USD)
$18,820.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
1028
Scores and tasting notes
This was by some margin the best bottle that I've encountered to date of Leflaive's 2002 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, and the wine is beginning to become very interesting on the nose, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of citrus oil, mandarin, warm bread, fresh peach, pear and vanilla pod. On the palate, it's full-bodied, satiny and layered, with a fleshy, multidimensional core, lively acids and an elegant profile, without the muscle of a vintage such as 2005 or 1989 but with more concentration than a supple, open-knit year such as 2000. By the numbers, it's 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.24.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 31 July 2019