Domaine Leflaive, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2002

The most interesting of the wines in our first flight was the 2002 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet, which remained bright, layered and beautifully focused throughout the course of the evening. The Leflaive was even better when I came back to it at the end of the evening. Although still young, it embodied all of the qualities Burgundy lovers seek in age worthy whites. I loved it.

Aromas of lime oil and mint. Cooler and less obviously ripe than the Pucelles, with juicy, penetrating flavors of mint, vineyard peach and lime. But slightly bony and quite low in residual sugar. This sample came as a bit of a shock after the Pucelles, and will need time to round out in barrel. Finishes with a slight oaky dryness. These vines and those in Le Montrachet are the oldest of the domain, on average.