Domaine Leflaive Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2013

Although the winter of 2012-2013 was not severe in Puligny, it was long and very wet, with frosts occurring until the beginning of April. Budbreak in the vineyards began hesitantly in mid-April, two weeks later than usual. The end of the month was subjected to hard rains that continued through the beginning of May. The soils were soaked and sometimes even flooded. One could even see ducks swimming among the vines.

The month of May remained cool and damp, and as a result, we observed the vines were three weeks behind their normal schedule. June appeared more merciful in terms of rainfall: all is relative. The first blooms appeared on June 17, but the good weather did not last, in view of the fact that on the night of June 19, we had a severe storm that culminated in significant rainfall. Conditions during the following days were not favorable to good flowering and brought on both coulure (shatter) and millerandage (irregular fruit set). Full flowering occurred from June 21-24.

In July we had several stormy episodes, most notably on July 23, with hail from Meursault to Ladoix. Fortunately, the Puligny vineyard was barely touched. August provided excellent conditions for the vines. Maturation of the grapes progressed nicely. September, marked by sporadic rain showers, remained hot and humid during its final days. We began the eight-day harvest on September 28.

The alcoholic fermentations were long. The following spring, aided by the warming temperatures, the malolactic fermentations started off, finishing during the summer of 2014. Through the élevage (aging in cask and tank), the wines attained precision and, at the start of the second winter, they were displaying a beautiful purity, in harmony with the terroirs from which they came. They possess a thread of energy derived from minerality and acidity, which gives them lovely tension and persistence in the mouth.

Our wines are made for aging and require time for “respiration” once the bottle is opened before they reveal their full potential: 10 to 15 minutes at the very minimum, 1 to 2 hours ideally, and occasionally 12 to 24 hours for the very younger wines. 

"The 2013 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, like many from this vineyard, has an expressive and, compared to other vintages, you could almost say extravagant bouquet, bridled with intense citrus lemon, freshly sliced pear, limestone and even a faint touch of peppermint. The palate is intense on the entry with more depth than the Bienvenue at this stage. There is a pinch of spice here, shaved ginger adding a bit of fire at the front of the tongue, then attractive stony notes finally revealed on the finish and the aftertaste. Superb - for me perhaps superior to the 2012." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (12/29/2014) Ratings: 93-95, Drink: 2017-2032