Olivier Leflaive : Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru "Referts" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru "Referts" 2023 by Olivier Leflaive

Tasting

Appearance
Displaying a bright pale gold hue, the visual aspect is typical of the great whites of the region.

Nose
Showing great finesse, the bouquet reveals delicate notes of dried fruits and green tea. It is then enriched with indulgent hints of pastry, brioche and candied fruits, all subtly balanced by the freshness of citrus zest.

Palate
Full and juicy, the palate charms with its elegance and depth. A superb mineral freshness and beautiful tension extend the wine through to an incisive, complex finish of remarkable length.

Food and wine pairing

Ideal with a vol-au-vent of veal sweetbreads and mushrooms, this wine also pairs wonderfully with poultry in sauce, seafood such as lobster or crayfish, grilled fish, as well as cheeses like goat cheese, Reblochon or Brie de Meaux.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to serve the Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru "Referts" 2023 at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. Crafted for ageing, this wine will develop magnificently in the cellar and can be enjoyed until around 2036.

The elegance and minerality of a great white Burgundy

The estate

Founded in 1984 by Olivier Leflaive, descendant of the eighteenth generation of an illustrious winegrowing family, the eponymous House is an essential reference in Burgundy. Located in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, the estate oversees a 100-hectare vineyard, 26 of which are owned outright. Guided by the philosophy of "always doing better with less", the domain stands out for its tailor-made approach and its Haute Valeur Environnementale certification. Today, Jean Soubeyrand chairs the board of directors of this internationally renowned family House, while Solène Panigai oversees the vinifications.

The vineyard

The "Referts" climat stretches over 5.52 hectares within the prestigious Puligny-Montrachet appellation, at an altitude ranging between 230 and 250 metres. With an average age of 46 years, the vines thrive on a distinctive clay-limestone terroir, composed of marls in the upper section and more ferruginous soils below, lending the grapes a unique smoothness.

The vintage

The 2023 year will be remembered as a particularly hot and demanding vintage. Marked by record temperatures, a notable water deficit during the growing cycle and strong disease pressure, this season resulted in uneven ripening. Nevertheless, the generosity of the harvest allowed the teams to carry out rigorous sorting to retain only the highest-quality berries.

Vinification and ageing

To craft this Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru "Referts" 2023, the whole clusters undergo gentle pressing using state-of-the-art equipment, thereby preserving all the aromatic purity. After a 24-hour static settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in oak barrels. Ageing extends over 18 months, combining time in oak barrels (of which approximately 22% is new wood) and six months in stainless steel tanks. Notably, bottling is carried out following the lunar calendar.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.