2003 Chevalier Montrachet
By Domaine Leflaive
2001 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
In the pantheon of esteemed Burgundian whites, the 2001 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive holds a distinguished position. Reveling in the artistry of this particular Domaine, one is compelled to linger on the specific idiosyncrasies that make the 2001 vintage a prime highlight within their oenological anthology.
Intimate Expression of Time and Terroir
The 2001 season graced Burgundy with generally stable weather, sprinkled with enough climatic drama to bestow a kaleidoscopic complexity to its wines. Through these conditions, Domaine Leflaive has executed a virtuoso performance, coaxing from its vineyards a reflection of Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet's character – an exquisite mélange of precision, power and poise.
2001 Vintage: A Refined Legacy
This vintage entices with an effusive bouquet that unveils enduring aromas of honeysuckle, almond and subtle hints of vanilla – a testament to its meticulously managed upbringing in oak. On the palate, there is remarkable integration of vibrant citrus and orchard fruit notes with an undercurrent of minerality, a classic hallmark of Chardonnay from this coveted slice of Pernand-Vergelesses.
The crescendo builds into a finish that lingers with grace and quiet assurance, offering evidence of finely judged bottle age. Its textural wonderment and structured complexity suggest that while already in a sublime state, it offers sage potential for enlightened wine investment.
The resilience of this cherished pièce de résistance through two decades speaks volumes to its intrinsic quality. A vital piece for connoisseurs seeking both intellectual and palate gratification – the 2001 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet stands as a paragon of Domaine Leflaive's mastery over their craft.
Suffice to say, as an investment opportunity or collector's prize, the 2001 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive is an exemplar beyond reproach. It epitomises not just the excellence one anticipates from Burgundy's Chardonnays but champions the year's inimitable spirit with aplomb.
Market price (USD)
$14,760.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
1007.5
Scores and tasting notes
The 2003 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru is such an atypical vintage that it's hard to know how to score it. With a pH of 3.75 and 14% alcohol, there's almost no acidity—Leflaive opting, unlike many producers, not to add any tartaric acid in this hot, low-yielding vintage. Offering up aromas of preserved peaches, honeycomb, orange rind, white flowers and licorice, it's full-bodied, rich and fat, with an unctuous, oily texture, a massive endowment of chewy dry extract and a long, sweet—despite the wine containing no residual sugar—and exotic finish. While the wine's low acidity makes it a little cumbersome, it's also true that it's aging at a glacial pace, and it's very hard to predict how it will taste in another two decades. This Chevalier is certainly one of the high points of the 2003 white Burgundy vintage but also a wine that exemplifies its extremes.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 31 July 2019