Domaine Leflaive - Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet - Grand Cru

Domaine Leflaive - Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet - Grand Cru

Domaine Leflaive makes this Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, a Grand Cru white from Burgundy. It is pure Chardonnay, and Grand Cru is the highest rank Burgundy awards a vineyard site.

The nose opens with pear, white flowers and almond paste, followed by buttered toast, citrus zest and a thread of smoke. The palate is full-bodied and satiny, layered and fleshy, with a tightly wound core beneath the richness. The finish is chalky, and it keeps the wine from feeling heavy.

Chardonnay is the only grape here, and the appellation shapes the rest. Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet is a Grand Cru white of Burgundy, where the style is generous body held in check by firm acidity and stony grip. Expect texture and depth rather than overt fruit.

Serve it cool rather than cold, in large glasses, and open it a little ahead of the meal so it can unfold. It suits lobster or crab, white fish, a Gruyère course or anything built around truffle. It works best as the centrepiece of the menu, not an aperitif.