2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet

($105) Pale yellow. Aromatic nose offers peach, vanilla and toast. Gentle and sweet in the middle palate but with sound acidity underneath. Tightens up on the back end, finishing with very good mineral persistence. This may ultimately merit an outstanding rating. (Incidentally, the estate's Bourgogne, which I tasted from cuve, showed uncommon size and aromatic complexity for its appellation.)

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: September/October 2009

All tasted from tank at the winery with winemaker Eric R‚my in Nov 2008. The wines are moved from barrel to cuve just before the harvest, so they usually spend about 3-4 months in tank. 15% new oak.Pretty closed on the nose - though with time it did open up to show a floral note - but intense on the palate. Long in a mineral style. Made me think of Chablis. (JH)

Author: Julia Harding MW

Leflaive's 2007 Puligny-Montrachet smells of honeysuckle, lily, brown-spiced apple, lavender, vanilla, and toasted nuts; makes correspondingly sweet floral and fruity suggestions on a pliable, soothing palate; and finishes with considerable polish and persistence, if a more austere chalky sense than what went before lead one to anticipate. Parcels informing this blend now inhabit an arc nearly three-quarters of the way around the town, insuring significant diversity of terroir.

Author: David Schildknecht

Shy in aroma, this lean, racy white has intensity. Lemon curd, apple, pastry and chalk notes mingle as this turns firm and bracing on the mouthwatering finish. Very refined.

Author: Bruce Sanderson