In the glass
Aroma: citrus, honey, white flower, hazelnut
Palate: lemon, brioche, chalk, saline
The white-Burgundy reference at its summit: profound, saline and tightly wound, with citrus, honey and an endless finish.
What it pairs with
-
Roast turbot in beurre blanc
A rich grand-cru white carries the firm white fish and its buttery sauce without being overwhelmed. -
Poulet de Bresse a la creme
The prized Bresse chicken in cream sauce mirrors a barrel-aged Meursault's weight and nut-and-butter palate. -
Aged Comte
Nutty alpine cheese amplifies a mature Chardonnay's hazelnut and brown-butter notes.
How to serve Montrachet Grand Cru
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast turbot in beurre blanc, Poulet de Bresse a la creme, Aged Comte. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Leflaive's tiny biodynamic Montrachet, made only since the early 1990s, is among the rarest white Burgundies.
- 1717 — Leflaive family settled in Puligny
- 1991 — First Leflaive Montrachet; biodynamic conversion underway
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Leflaive
- Grapes
- Chardonnay (100%)
- Classification
- Grand Cru (Cote de Beaune, AOC)
- Oak
- Around 12 to 18 months in French oak, part new
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 4000 to 9000 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1991
Scores
- Vinous 97 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Montrachet Grand Cru
What does Montrachet Grand Cru taste like?
On the nose, citrus, honey, white flower, hazelnut. On the palate, lemon, brioche, chalk, saline. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. The white-Burgundy reference at its summit: profound, saline and tightly wound, with citrus, honey and an endless finish.
When should I drink Montrachet Grand Cru?
Drink 10-30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Montrachet Grand Cru?
Roast turbot in beurre blanc is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Poulet de Bresse a la creme and Aged Comte. A rich grand-cru white carries the firm white fish and its buttery sauce without being overwhelmed.
What grapes are in Montrachet Grand Cru?
The blend is Chardonnay (100%). The wine is classified as Grand Cru (Cote de Beaune, AOC).