2018 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet
By Domaine Leflaive
2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
In the pantheon of grand cru whites, the 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive commands a reverence well-suited to its storied terroir. Navigating the exceptionally hot summer of 2018, which coaxed forth an early harvest across Burgundy, this wine has emerged as a testament to the resilience and intuitive adaptability of Domaine Leflaive's viticulture mastery.
Finesse in a challenging vintage
The tapestry of the 2018 vintage for this illustrious domaine is woven with threads of challenge and triumph. Under the auspices of climatic duress, a vintage like the 2018 allowed the roots of old vines to delve into the chalky soils, etching a minerality into the wine that is precise and expressive. The interplay of rich stone fruit flavors with a lemongrass edge in this vintage creates a tension in the mouthfeel – a symphonic balance between opulence and restraint.
A collectible icon with remarkable poise
The pedigree of Domaine Leflaive's sustainable biodynamic approach shines through in the 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. Despite youthfully reticent upon initial tasting, it gradually unfurls with time in the glass like tightly-coiled petals, hinting at an impressive aging potential for fine wine investors. Aromas of toasted hazelnut and honeysuckle frame the orchard fruit core, leading to an elongated, almost ethereal finish that whispers of its capacity to mature gracefully over decades.
For those who seek to diversify their portfolio with wines bearing both an indelible sense of place and an exceptional vintage narrative, the 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive is one not just to savor but to champion with confidence. Its harmony, despite pronounced seasonal adversities, marks it as one of Burgundy’s collectibles destined for acclaim.
Summary: The investment allure of 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive
The synthesis of a challenging climatic canvas and a winemaking technique steeped in tradition has rendered the 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive as an evocative expression of its lineage. In bearing witness to this wine's journey from vineyard to bottle to the cellar, discerning investors may find not only a tantalizing potion for their palate but also an alluring asset for long-term appreciation.
Market price (USD)
$10,770.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
630
Scores and tasting notes
Scents of pear, white flowers, almond paste, buttered toast, citrus zest and smoke preface the 2018 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, a full-bodied and satiny wine that's layered and fleshy, with a satiny attack that segues into a tightly wound core and a chalky finish. This, too, should reward bottle age.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 14 January 2021