A family property dating back to 1745, now totaling 50 acres on superb sites and producing only white wines, Anne-Claude Leflaive has run the Domaine on her own since the death of her father in 1993. Anne-Claude is an innovative and meticulous caretaker of the vineyards and has implemented biodynamic viticulture at the Domaine. From 1989 no fertilizers or herbicides have been used and since 1997 the Domaine has become 100% biodynamic. Unfortunately, demand for Domaine Leflaive's vinous treasures far exceeds supply.

Clive Coates, MW declares, "This is indisputably the greatest estate for white wine in the whole world, producing wines that are the utmost in discretion and elegance; profound, long lasting wines full of richly concentrated fruit which for me represent all that is best in white Burgundy, all that is glorious about the Chardonnay grape." The Wines of France, pg. 164

Le Clavoillon is an 11.84 acre clay-limestone vineyard who's current vines were planted between 1959 and 1998.  It is bordered by Les Pucelles, Folatieres, Les Perrieres and is less than 700 metres from Le Montrachet.  Fermentation takes place in oak casks, 22% of which are first-year.  It ages for one year in cask and then another six months in bottle.  It is gently fined and lightly filtered if necessary.

Matt Kramer writes, "Leflaive wines are damnly hard to find, and too often,they are drunk too young when they are found.  The Leflaive style is for beautifully defined wine that is almost signature-free." Making Sense of Burgundy, pg. 437

Folatieres sits just north-west at a slightly higher elevation, sloping down to Le Clavoillon.  Leflaive's grapes are harvested from three parcels; half an acre planted in 1983, two-thirds of an acre planted in 1962 and 2 acres planted in 1969 and 1999.  Just like Le Clavoillon, the wine ferments in oak casks, but 20% of these are new.  After one year, the wine rests in bottle for another six months.  The wine is fined and lightly filtered if necessary.

Robert Parker, "Despite their high prices and scarcity, these wines deserve to be tasted by anyone who is interested in the reference points of white Burgundy" Burgundy, pg. 246

In 2006, Anne-Claude Leflaive and her husband, Christian Jacques, created a company to help new biodynamic wine growers take advantage of the Domaine Leflaive commercial network. A call for aid from the owners of a property called Clau de Nell in the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, brought the property to Anne-Claude's attention. In 2008 they purchased the domaine and 19.77 acres of estate vineyard from previous owners, Claude and Nelly Pritchard. The property has been biodynamically farmed since 2000.

This vineyard faces south almost 300 feet above sea level, from which one can see the Loire River.  The Atlantic Ocean is only 75 miles to the west.  This vineyard's soil is sandstone grit and red flint over Tuffeau (the soft limestone found in this region).  The vines are between 30-90 years old and are farmed according to biodynamic principals which adheres to the natural rhythms of plants and the planets. 

Yields are kept very low.  All fruit is hand harvested and the wines age for 18 months only in neutral Burgundy barriques.  The wines are bottled unfined, unfiltered and are bottled on a "fruit day" according to the biodynamic calendar.

A vibrant and pure expression of Cabernet Franc, perhaps the most perfumed of all red grapes, this wine offers sweet raspberry fruit flavours and aromas with young but fine, velvety tannins that provide lovely mouthfeel.

Cuvée Violette is a blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 18 months in 5 year old Burgundy barriques.  The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a 2.47 acre parcel of the estate vineyard.  The proportion of Sauvignon is vintage dependant.  It is a very Bordeaux-like wine offering terrific aging potential.

Two hectares of 60-90 year old Grolleau vines are a viticultural treasure.  Considering how far out of favour this grape has become in the minds of American critics, it's surprising that these have been maintained for so long. 

Grolleau is predominantly found in Rose d'Anjou, as its acidity lends itself to being treated like a white wine, however in the care of Mme. Leflaive - gentle pressing and 12 months of lees contact, the wine shines with dark fruity aromas and bright fruit flavours of a great Beaujolais Cru. 

In today's wine arena where international varietals are grown everywhere, being able to drink a naturally made, unusual indigenous grape produced by one of the world's great wine makers is a rare opportunity. This wine can be enjoyed slightly chilled or with a charcuterie plate.