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

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.