2023 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes

The story of Domaine Leflaive

Domaine Leflaive is one of the most iconic wineries in Burgundy. Located in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet, the family has been building a reputation for absolute top quality since the 18th century. Under the leadership of successive generations, the estate has developed into a benchmark for white Burgundy. Moreover, the family was one of the first in the region to adopt fully biodynamic practices, which gives the wines unprecedented purity and balance.

The estate owns some 24 hectares of vineyards, including an impressive number of Premier and Grand Cru plots. Leflaive's style is timeless and precise: wines that combine tension, complexity, and refinement with a crystal-clear expression of Chardonnay. The Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Combettes is a prime example of this – a wine that brings together finesse and depth in an exceptional way.

The Les Combettes vineyard

Les Combettes is one of the most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet. Located on the border with Meursault, the vineyard benefits from an ideal southeast exposure on a gentle slope. The soil consists of limestone and clay, rich in minerals and with excellent drainage. This combination produces wines with a harmonious balance between ripe fruit, mineral tension, and structure. Les Combettes typically yields wines that are slightly rounder and broader than other Puligny wines, but always with the refined signature of the terroir.

Domaine Leflaive cultivates its plot here entirely according to biodynamic principles. The vines are on average more than fifty years old and yield low harvests of concentrated grapes. Each bunch is harvested by hand and carefully selected for optimal quality.

About the wine Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes 2022

The 2022 vintage is a particularly successful expression of this famous Premier Cru. The wine is made from 100% Chardonnay and fermented in French oak barrels, only a small percentage of which are new. This is followed by aging for approximately a year on the fine lees, which provides depth, texture, and a harmonious integration of wood and fruit.

The 2022 harvest produced healthy, perfectly ripe grapes thanks to a warm yet balanced growing season. The wine is rich, layered, and refined at the same time – a classic combination of Leflaive's precision and terroir. According to The Wine Advocate, this is a wine with a deep and concentrated structure, featuring aromas of pear, hazelnut, citrus fruits, and subtle toasted bread. The reviewer describes the 2022 as “layered, textured, and multidimensional,” with a delicate honeyed finish. A rating of 94 points underscores the exceptional quality of this vintage.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a shimmering golden-yellow color with a light green nuance. The aroma is complex and refined, with notes of white flowers, peach, lemon peel, and a hint of almond. As the wine opens up, aromas of brioche, honey, and wet stone emerge. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied but never heavy: a beautiful balance between creaminess and lively acidity. The texture is silky, with a long, elegant finish in which citrus, hazelnut, and a subtle salinity blend beautifully.

The 2022 Les Combettes is a wine that already provides great pleasure, but will continue to develop over the next ten to fifteen years. With additional aging, it gains complexity and refinement, with notes of honey, toast, and roasted nuts gradually unfolding.

The style and philosophy of the estate

What makes Domaine Leflaive unique is its absolute dedication to precision and terroir. The wines are vinified with the utmost care, without excessive extraction or oak influence. Every detail, from the moment of harvest to aging, is geared towards preserving freshness and balance. This approach ensures that the pure expression of Puligny-Montrachet comes fully into its own. Les Combettes 2022 is a perfect example of this: a wine with depth, texture, and layering, yet with a refinement that only the greatest wines of Burgundy can achieve.

Order wines from Domaine Leflaive online?

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send this to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers.

Food and wine pairings

• Pan-fried turbot with beurre blanc: the rich texture and fresh acidity of the wine bring the creamy sauce into perfect balance.
• Lobster with citrus butter and fennel: the briny and mineral notes complement the sweet lobster meat and the fresh citrus elements seamlessly.
• Risotto with Parmesan and lemon zest: the creaminess of the risotto finds an elegant counterpart in the lively acidity and minerality of the wine.
• Chicken breast with truffle cream sauce: the subtle oak notes and round flavour of the wine enhance the earthy tones of truffle and mushroom.
• Grilled scallops with cauliflower cream: the nutty aromas of the wine enhance the refined character of this dish.
• White fish with asparagus and beurre noisette: the wine offers an elegance and tension that elevates this classic spring dish to a higher level.