The 2021 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles is a Chardonnay from the renowned Burgundy region of France, specifically the Cote de Beaune sub-region. This white wine hails from the esteemed Les Pucelles sub-appellation, crafted by the reputable producer Domaine Leflaive.
This Chardonnay has garnered high praise from multiple professional reviewers. Jasper Morris of Inside Burgundy rates it at 96 points, noting its "mid lemon colour" and a bouquet that "rises above the others." He describes the wine as having a "complex mix of fruits, fresh apricot along with a mix of quality citrus" and commends its "perfect balance" and "hugely long finish" that brings "a smile to the face." Morris adds that the wine’s "lifted fresh elegance" at the finish may yet earn it an even higher rating in the future.
Wine Spectator also awards this wine 95 points, describing it as "seamless in texture and balance" with flavors of "honey, butter, peach, apple, and lemon cake." The publication highlights its "harmonious and approachable" nature now, while also projecting that it will continue to improve over the next five years. The wine shows "fine length, with a toasty, spicy aftertaste," making it suitable for drinking now through 2035.
Vinous, with a review by Neal Martin, also gives the 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1er Cru a score of 95 points. Martin notes its "backward bouquet of petrichor, limestone, and light chalky scents" and praises its "well-balanced" palate, depth, and grip on the finish, calling it "excellent."
Burghound, scoring it 96 points, mentions the initial "firm reduction and a whiff of oak" on the nose, but praises the "beautifully textured, racy and detailed medium weight flavors" with a "highly sophisticated mouthfeel." The review highlights the "stunningly good length" and "bitter zest-inflected finish," asserting that the wine "easily delivers grand cru quality."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gives it a slightly lower, yet still impressive, score of 93 points. Reviewer William Kelley describes the wine as "unwinding in the glass with aromas of mandarin, buttered toast, clear honey, toasted nuts and youthful reduction." Kelley finds it "medium to full-bodied, layered and chalky," with a "dense core of fruit and impressive structuring extract," suggesting that this wine is "built for the cellar."
In summary, the 2021 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles is a highly acclaimed Chardonnay, praised for its complexity, balance, and potential for aging. This wine is a testament to the quality and elegance associated with Domaine Leflaive and the Les Pucelles vineyard.