Olivier Leflaive 2004 Meursault   $40   

There is Chardonnay…and there is Burgundy…and that’s the source of our Wine of the Week.

In the heart of Burgundy is the village of Meursault…and our choice is from one of the best producers.  It’s Olivier Leflaive 2004 Meursault.

The wine is one hundred percent Chardonnay of course and you can taste it!   The fruit character comes through best when you drink it chilled but not cold. 

You’ll taste a tropical fruit cup with fresh cut pineapple and melon, but with some tart lemon spritzted on top.  But, then imagine a spoonful of chopped almonds mixed in. 

For forty dollars it’s really a lovely Burgundian Chardonnay and a great way for you to get a taste of the style and attitude of that most famous Chardonnay region.  Basically it’s more subtle than its every day cousins. 

The Leflaive Meursault is made for food so pair it with chicken or rich, seared scallops, broiled lobster, or anything with garlic and butter.

Olivier Leflaive 2004 Meursault…our Wine of the Week to seek.

Pop the Cork™.

Winemaker’s notes:

"A spicy, nutty wine that shows some of the Meursault broadness but also offers some subtlety, with ripe fruits layered with more complex wood and herb flavors."
-Wine Enthusiast

Meursault is considered to be the capital of white wine as its combined vineyard area is the largest in the Côte de Beaune These vineyards are gently sloped between 750 and 850 feet in altitude and face east, which permits optimal exposure to the sun. The abundance of white marl in the soil gives the wines aromas of almonds and hazelnuts along with good structure

This cuvée comes from a blend of different parcels located in various parts of the village.Olivier Leflaive was formed in 1984 by Olivier and his brother Patrick. Unlike a conventional negociant who buys finished wines, the firm actually vinifies a wide range of Burgundian appellations from grapes and must (or juice) and now owns 25 acres.

Under the supervision of winemaker Franck Grux, the white wines are vinified, blended, and aged exactly as they would be at a top-rank domaine. All whites, even the better part of their Bourgogne Blanc, are barrel fermented, and all enjoy contact with new wood averaging 20%. No surprise that France’s leading wine journal, Revue du Vin de France, has selected Olivier Leflaive as one of the Burgundy’s “best white wine producers”, noting that the firm’s “purity of style is recognized by all.”  

Notes on our Wines of the Week, Recommendations, and Picks:

When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently.  A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list.  Well, don't stop buying it because of that.  In fact, you may want to email us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.

A couple of other thoughts...first, prices are approximate.  They'll vary.  Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.

And lastly, we remind you to drink responsibly!  Now, all that said, here is a summary of  links to our suggestions.  Find one (or more) and pop the cork!

Read the fine print . . .

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