Domaine Leflaive – Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Clavoillon 2015 – Burgundy France

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Clavoillon 2015 is a refined biodynamic Chardonnay from the domaine’s extensive 4.69-hectare holding in this celebrated Premier Cru vineyard. The warmth of the 2015 vintage brings generous ripeness and depth, while the wine retains the precision, freshness, and mineral character associated with Domaine Leflaive.

🍷 At a Glance

• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Region: Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2015
• Vineyard: Clavoillon
• Vineyard Area: 4.69 hectares
• Vine Plantings: 1962, 1972, 1973, 1981, 1983, 1988, and 2012
• Soil: Clay-limestone
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Harvest: Manual, with grape sorting and parcel-by-parcel ripeness monitoring
• Aging: 12 months in barrel on lees, followed by 10 months in stainless steel on fine lees
• Style: Generous, mineral-driven Premier Cru white Burgundy

👃 Tasting Notes & Experience

• Body: Medium to full-bodied
• Fruit: Ripe pear, yellow apple, citrus, white peach
• Floral: White flowers
• Savory: Almond, subtle spice, fine lees complexity
• Minerality: Chalk, crushed stone, saline notes
• Structure: Concentrated yet balanced, with fresh acidity and a long finish

The 2015 Clavoillon combines the generosity of a warm growing season with the clarity and mineral tension characteristic of Puligny-Montrachet. Ripe orchard fruit, citrus, and white peach are layered with subtle floral notes, almond, and fine lees complexity. The palate is broad and polished, yet fresh acidity and a chalky mineral backbone preserve definition through the long, balanced finish.

The 2015 growing season brought rapid maturation and sustained summer heat, with temperatures frequently rising above 30°C. Timely rainfall in early August restarted the ripening process, while exceptionally healthy grapes retained good acidity despite the accelerated season. Harvest began on August 28, making it one of the earliest harvests in the domaine’s history.

❤️ Why We Love It

• Produced from Domaine Leflaive’s substantial holding in Clavoillon Premier Cru
• Biodynamic farming and parcel-by-parcel monitoring preserve vineyard expression
• The warm 2015 vintage delivers depth and ripeness without sacrificing freshness
• Extended aging on lees builds texture, complexity, and precision

🍽️ Food Pairing Ideas

• Seared scallops with beurre blanc
• Roasted turbot or Dover sole
• Lobster, crab, or langoustines
• Roast chicken with morels
• Comté, Beaufort, or aged goat cheese

👤 Who This Wine Is For

✓ Collectors of Domaine Leflaive and Premier Cru white Burgundy
✓ Chardonnay lovers seeking richness balanced by mineral precision
✓ Drinkers who appreciate structured, age-worthy Puligny-Montrachet
✓ Those looking for a generous yet refined expression of the 2015 vintage
✕ Not ideal if you prefer light, simple, fruit-forward Chardonnay

⚙️ Production

The biodynamically farmed Chardonnay grapes were harvested by hand, sorted, and selected according to parcel-by-parcel ripeness monitoring. After long, gentle pneumatic pressing, the juice settled for 24 hours before being racked into barrels. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations took place in oak casks. The wine aged for 12 months in barrel on lees, followed by 10 months in stainless steel on fine lees. Fining and light filtration were used only if necessary.