Olivier Leflaive, Bourgogne Blanc, Oncle Vincent, Burgundy, France, 2022

Producer Profile

Olivier Leflaive is a respected négociant and wine producer based in Puligny-Montrachet, in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune.

Emerging from a long line of Burgundian vignerons, Olivier Leflaive founded his own house in the early 1990s, branching out independently from the famed Domaine Leflaive. Today, the estate encompasses approximately 17 hectares of owned vineyards and sources fruit from over 100 hectares of contracted growers across Burgundy, including prestigious areas such as Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise, and the Côte de Beaune. Known for its refined white wines, the house also maintains a small but focused production of red wines and Aligoté. Beyond winemaking, Olivier Leflaive has become a benchmark for Burgundy hospitality, offering luxurious accommodations, vineyard tours, and fine dining through its award-winning hotel, bistro, and Klima restaurant.

Viticulture

Cuvée hommage to the wine growers' patron saint "Saint-Vincent" but also a tribute to Vincent Leflaive, Olivier Leflaive's uncle, who died in 1993, having built the reputation of the eponymous estate. He was a model and a valuable support for Olivier at the time of the creation of his own wine estate. This cuvée is made exclusively from their old vines from 8 different plots located on the Puligny-Montrachet terroir. Soils are mostly calcareous and silty clay between 230 and 250 metres in altitude with an average age of around 35 years old.

Winemaking

The winemaking process begins with 100% whole bunch pressing to ensure gentle juice extraction and preserve the purity of the fruit. The must is then clarified through a 24-hour static settling before undergoing both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in oak barrels, enhancing texture and complexity. The wine is aged for a total of 15 months—12 months in oak barrels followed by 3 months in stainless steel tanks—to allow integration and stability prior to bottling. The oak ageing regimen involves 100% barrel use, with approximately 10% new oak, striking a careful balance between subtle oak influence and the expression of terroir.

Tasting Note

The nose shows a delicate restraint, accented by a hint of smokiness. On the palate, it offers pronounced sapidity and depth, leading to a refined finish with lingering notes of toasted wood and biscuit.

Food Matching

This wine pairs beautifully with delicate yet flavourful dishes such as salmon blanquette, seafood paella, or courgette pasta.