2018 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon Magnum
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (13%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2045 |
Low Stock
Only 2 left
Description
Domaine Leflaive is one of the most prestigious wineries in Burgundy, best known for its exceptional white wines, made from Chardonnay grapes. Located in the village of Puligny-Montrachet, in the Côte de Beaune, Domaine Leflaive is known for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture and its emphasis on expressing the unique terroir.
The premier cru Clavoillon vineyard is a single parcel of vines planted between 1959 and 1988. It is the largest parcel of Leflaive and is located just below Folatières, on a deep soil layer with many stones. This white wine is opulent and exudes peach, lemon, apple pie and baking spice aromas and flavours. Well proportioned but needs some time to fully integrate, with a long, complex aftertaste that combines fruit, minerals and herbal elements. Clavoillon produces wines with a lot of structure, that are lively and chalky and have a nice minerality. This Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon is a magnum version of 1.5 liters. Even tastier and with a longer drinking window.
Features of the 2018 vintage
The 2018 vintage was characterized by a warm and dry growing season, resulting in healthy and ripe grapes. These conditions led to wines with concentrated flavors and balanced acidity.
FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Appellation | Puligny-Montrachet |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Domaine Leflaive |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 13 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| Vinous rating | 92 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 92
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2023 - 2045
A fine effort, the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon wafts from the glass with notes of white flowers, crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh pastry and blanched almonds. Medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, it's elegant and fine-boned, with—as I observed last year—none of the blockiness of yesteryear's Clavoillon.
This year, I met with Brice de La Morandière and Pierre Vincent to taste not unfinished 2019s but rather the Domaine's 2018s from bottle—a change in the estate's policy that I warmly encourage and support—and I found the wines showing very well indeed. As I wrote last year, while many producers along the Côte de Beaune were inclined to accept the generous yields of the 2018 as nature's gift, arguing that Chardonnay can sustain an elevated crop without suffering dilution, de La Morandière and Vincent opted to perform an aggressive green harvest, jettisoning around 40% of the potential crop. "I'm glad we have something to show for it," remarked de La Morandière when I complimented the concentration of the domaine's Combettes. As usual, the wines fermented and matured in barrel before finishing their élevage in stainless steel tanks on the lees, and they were bottled under Diam with some 25 parts per million free sulfur dioxide. As is the case in Chardonnay along the Côte de Beaune in the 2018 vintage, the appellation hierarchy does make itself felt—I tend to think that low yields efface some of the disadvantages of humbler sites, whereas large crops exaggerate them—but the highest appellation bottlings here are really quite serious; and, having evoked the comparison with Leflaive's superb 1982 vintage when I tasted them from barrel last year, I continue to think that they will blossom beautifully with bottle age.
Published: Jan 14, 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(90-92)
Drinking Window
2021 - 2034
From: 2018 Burgundy: Confounded Expectations (Jan 2020)
The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillon 1er Cru, Leflaive’s largest vineyard at 4.8 hectares, has a very perfumed bouquet with mirabelle, crushed pebble and a touch of sherbet blossoming from the nose. The well-balanced palate offers a touch of spice on the entry, good acidity, moderate depth and a suggestion of ginger toward the sappy finish.
- By Neal Martin on October 2019
I met proprietor Brice de la Morandière with winemaker Pierre Vincent , who joined in 2017 from Domaine de la Vougeraie, at their barrel cellar in Puligny-Montrachet. It was nice to return having not visited for a year or two. "It was a warm year," de la Morandière commented. "The crucial decision was that we green harvested all the vineyards in July, sometimes up to 40% of the bunches. I know that this is considered a sin in Puligny-Montrachet, but the fact is that we had two or three times more bunches than we needed. This risked us losing concentration. We commenced the harvest on 26 August and finished on September, the Mâcon-Verze picked from 3 to 10 September. In the end, we found that the balance was good in terms of alcohol and acidity." I was pleased to taste Leflaive's Mâconnais wines - they are often overshadowed by their Pulignys and might well constitute their best values. The standout for me was their stunning Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes, in no small part since it was affected by millerandage and this naturally seems to have concentrated the wine. Among the Grand Crus, the Chevalier-Montrachet predictably has the edge, though do not overlook their rather splendid Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet is a name that rings a bell. Chardonnay, tradition and progress come together beautifully here.
History of Domaine Leflaive
The story of Domaine Leflaive begins in the 18th century but truly takes shape in the twentieth. Joseph Leflaive, a former marine engineer, took over the family estate in 1905. After the phylloxera crisis he bought additional plots, replanted the vineyards, and started bottling under his own label. That laid the foundation for the estate as we know it today.
After his death in 1953, his sons Vincent and Jo took the lead. They strengthened the name both in Burgundy and abroad. In the 1990s Anne-Claude Leflaive stepped in. She made a bold move by converting the estate entirely to biodynamic farming. Since 2015, Brice de la Morandière, Anne-Claude’s nephew, has been in charge. He combines respect for tradition with innovations such as the sustainable cellar built in 2012.
Location in Puligny-Montrachet
Domaine Leflaive is located in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet, a small village in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. This region is known worldwide as the birthplace of Chardonnay. The limestone-rich soil and perfect exposure create wines with tension, freshness, and depth. Here everything revolves around terroir: small differences in slope or soil type give wines with their own unique character.
Grape varieties at Domaine Leflaive
The focus is entirely on Chardonnay. No red wine is made. That may sound limited, but this dedication is exactly what made the estate great. From a simple Bourgogne Blanc to the most legendary Grand Crus: all come from the same grape, yet from different parcels. This way you taste the pure differences between soil and location.
Specialities and famous vineyards
Domaine Leflaive owns parcels in some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. Think Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. In addition, there are impressive Premier Crus such as Les Pucelles, Clavoillon, and Les Folatières. They also make a distinctive Meursault and an approachable Bourgogne Blanc. The latter comes from vineyards just outside Puligny and shows that even the entry-level wines at Leflaive carry plenty of character.
Biodynamic viticulture and cellar techniques
Since 1997 Domaine Leflaive has worked fully biodynamically. That means using natural preparations and following the rhythms of nature. No artificial chemicals, but full attention to the health of the soil. In the cellar the approach is patient: slow pressing, fermentations with minimal intervention, one year of ageing in oak barrels followed by six months in neutral vats. Since 2012 this has taken place in a remarkable cellar known as the ‘Egg Cellar’. This round building, insulated with straw and wood, is energy-efficient and designed to let the wines mature perfectly.
Interesting facts about Domaine Leflaive
- Before becoming a winegrower, Joseph Leflaive helped build the first French submarine.
- The estate’s Grand Cru Montrachet is only released after ten years of ageing in the cellar, so it can show its full complexity.
- Anne-Claude Leflaive received international acclaim as a pioneer in biodynamics and was awarded several prizes for her contribution.
Order Domaine Leflaive wines online?
At Grandcruwijnen you’ll find Domaine Leflaive wines stored in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse. This means they’re kept under perfect conditions. When ordering online you can choose delivery or pickup in Dordrecht. If you choose pickup, you’ll see the discount immediately during checkout. Convenient and cost-saving.
Domaine Leflaive is one of the most prestigious wineries in Burgundy, best known for its exceptional white wines, made from Chardonnay grapes. Located in the village of Puligny-Montrachet, in the Côte de Beaune, Domaine Leflaive is known for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture and its emphasis on expressing the unique terroir.
The premier cru Clavoillon vineyard is a single parcel of vines planted between 1959 and 1988. It is the largest parcel of Leflaive and is located just below Folatières, on a deep soil layer with many stones. This white wine is opulent and exudes peach, lemon, apple pie and baking spice aromas and flavours. Well proportioned but needs some time to fully integrate, with a long, complex aftertaste that combines fruit, minerals and herbal elements. Clavoillon produces wines with a lot of structure, that are lively and chalky and have a nice minerality. This Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon is a magnum version of 1.5 liters. Even tastier and with a longer drinking window.
Features of the 2018 vintage
The 2018 vintage was characterized by a warm and dry growing season, resulting in healthy and ripe grapes. These conditions led to wines with concentrated flavors and balanced acidity.
FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Appellation | Puligny-Montrachet |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Domaine Leflaive |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 13 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| Vinous rating | 92 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 92
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2023 - 2045
A fine effort, the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon wafts from the glass with notes of white flowers, crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh pastry and blanched almonds. Medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, it's elegant and fine-boned, with—as I observed last year—none of the blockiness of yesteryear's Clavoillon.
This year, I met with Brice de La Morandière and Pierre Vincent to taste not unfinished 2019s but rather the Domaine's 2018s from bottle—a change in the estate's policy that I warmly encourage and support—and I found the wines showing very well indeed. As I wrote last year, while many producers along the Côte de Beaune were inclined to accept the generous yields of the 2018 as nature's gift, arguing that Chardonnay can sustain an elevated crop without suffering dilution, de La Morandière and Vincent opted to perform an aggressive green harvest, jettisoning around 40% of the potential crop. "I'm glad we have something to show for it," remarked de La Morandière when I complimented the concentration of the domaine's Combettes. As usual, the wines fermented and matured in barrel before finishing their élevage in stainless steel tanks on the lees, and they were bottled under Diam with some 25 parts per million free sulfur dioxide. As is the case in Chardonnay along the Côte de Beaune in the 2018 vintage, the appellation hierarchy does make itself felt—I tend to think that low yields efface some of the disadvantages of humbler sites, whereas large crops exaggerate them—but the highest appellation bottlings here are really quite serious; and, having evoked the comparison with Leflaive's superb 1982 vintage when I tasted them from barrel last year, I continue to think that they will blossom beautifully with bottle age.
Published: Jan 14, 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(90-92)
Drinking Window
2021 - 2034
From: 2018 Burgundy: Confounded Expectations (Jan 2020)
The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillon 1er Cru, Leflaive’s largest vineyard at 4.8 hectares, has a very perfumed bouquet with mirabelle, crushed pebble and a touch of sherbet blossoming from the nose. The well-balanced palate offers a touch of spice on the entry, good acidity, moderate depth and a suggestion of ginger toward the sappy finish.
- By Neal Martin on October 2019
I met proprietor Brice de la Morandière with winemaker Pierre Vincent , who joined in 2017 from Domaine de la Vougeraie, at their barrel cellar in Puligny-Montrachet. It was nice to return having not visited for a year or two. "It was a warm year," de la Morandière commented. "The crucial decision was that we green harvested all the vineyards in July, sometimes up to 40% of the bunches. I know that this is considered a sin in Puligny-Montrachet, but the fact is that we had two or three times more bunches than we needed. This risked us losing concentration. We commenced the harvest on 26 August and finished on September, the Mâcon-Verze picked from 3 to 10 September. In the end, we found that the balance was good in terms of alcohol and acidity." I was pleased to taste Leflaive's Mâconnais wines - they are often overshadowed by their Pulignys and might well constitute their best values. The standout for me was their stunning Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes, in no small part since it was affected by millerandage and this naturally seems to have concentrated the wine. Among the Grand Crus, the Chevalier-Montrachet predictably has the edge, though do not overlook their rather splendid Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet is a name that rings a bell. Chardonnay, tradition and progress come together beautifully here.
History of Domaine Leflaive
The story of Domaine Leflaive begins in the 18th century but truly takes shape in the twentieth. Joseph Leflaive, a former marine engineer, took over the family estate in 1905. After the phylloxera crisis he bought additional plots, replanted the vineyards, and started bottling under his own label. That laid the foundation for the estate as we know it today.
After his death in 1953, his sons Vincent and Jo took the lead. They strengthened the name both in Burgundy and abroad. In the 1990s Anne-Claude Leflaive stepped in. She made a bold move by converting the estate entirely to biodynamic farming. Since 2015, Brice de la Morandière, Anne-Claude’s nephew, has been in charge. He combines respect for tradition with innovations such as the sustainable cellar built in 2012.
Location in Puligny-Montrachet
Domaine Leflaive is located in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet, a small village in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. This region is known worldwide as the birthplace of Chardonnay. The limestone-rich soil and perfect exposure create wines with tension, freshness, and depth. Here everything revolves around terroir: small differences in slope or soil type give wines with their own unique character.
Grape varieties at Domaine Leflaive
The focus is entirely on Chardonnay. No red wine is made. That may sound limited, but this dedication is exactly what made the estate great. From a simple Bourgogne Blanc to the most legendary Grand Crus: all come from the same grape, yet from different parcels. This way you taste the pure differences between soil and location.
Specialities and famous vineyards
Domaine Leflaive owns parcels in some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. Think Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. In addition, there are impressive Premier Crus such as Les Pucelles, Clavoillon, and Les Folatières. They also make a distinctive Meursault and an approachable Bourgogne Blanc. The latter comes from vineyards just outside Puligny and shows that even the entry-level wines at Leflaive carry plenty of character.
Biodynamic viticulture and cellar techniques
Since 1997 Domaine Leflaive has worked fully biodynamically. That means using natural preparations and following the rhythms of nature. No artificial chemicals, but full attention to the health of the soil. In the cellar the approach is patient: slow pressing, fermentations with minimal intervention, one year of ageing in oak barrels followed by six months in neutral vats. Since 2012 this has taken place in a remarkable cellar known as the ‘Egg Cellar’. This round building, insulated with straw and wood, is energy-efficient and designed to let the wines mature perfectly.
Interesting facts about Domaine Leflaive
- Before becoming a winegrower, Joseph Leflaive helped build the first French submarine.
- The estate’s Grand Cru Montrachet is only released after ten years of ageing in the cellar, so it can show its full complexity.
- Anne-Claude Leflaive received international acclaim as a pioneer in biodynamics and was awarded several prizes for her contribution.
Order Domaine Leflaive wines online?
At Grandcruwijnen you’ll find Domaine Leflaive wines stored in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse. This means they’re kept under perfect conditions. When ordering online you can choose delivery or pickup in Dordrecht. If you choose pickup, you’ll see the discount immediately during checkout. Convenient and cost-saving.