GBP6.99 ($12) at Majestic Wine Merchants. Basic white burgundy from a top producer. A very nice little wine - crisp white fruits, good acidity, the lightest hint of very dry oak. NOT rich/buttery, but with a bit of body nevertheless. It went well with grilled tuna. I have often had disappointing experiences with basic white burgundy - too tart or too green - but not with this one.

But why do they have to call it "Bourgogne Chardonnay" on the label (with Chardonnay in a bigger font)? I guess even the best feel the pressures of international competition.

Welcome DaleW - it's great to have more opinions on Burgundies.

Actually, Dale, you are right.

The label says "Domaine Olivier Leflaive - Puligny Montrachet". I actually thought I was buying Domaine Leflaive and hadn't realized Olivier Laflaive was separate. The Hugh Johnson pocket wine guide says Olivier Leflaive is run by relatives of the famous Domaine Leflaive.

Your basic story of Burgundian subdivision here. Brother and sister don't get along at all and they split up the Dom. Leflaive holdings. I believe WS had an article about this 3 or 4 yrs ago. Anyway, Olivier Leflaive wines have not yet reached the heights of the Dom. Leflaive bottlings.

jb

I made a Leflaive boo boo in the fall as well. Picked up a six pack of Montrachet - thought I had won the lottery. It was Oliver, not Domiane. Thank god the store took them back.
As a side note, the local Wilson Daniels distributor here in town had a sale on D. Leflaive a couple of months ago. Picked up some Chevalier M. at a decent price. The D. Leflaive bourgogne is one of the best out there - but priced equal to many premier cru's. But then again, it's better than most premier cru's.

Actually, Olivier is Anne-Claude's cousin (Anne-Claude is Vincent's daughter, runs Domaine now). Don't think there was real bad blood- Vincent helped finance Olivier when he started separate business. Just looked, according to Olivier's website they recently bought vineyards to start own domaine.

The Domaine basic Bourgogne is usually around $30, but is indeed far better than most producer's village Pulignys or Chassagne imho. My best recent score- the '95 Bourgogne @ $10 at Rochambeau's (Dobbs Ferry,NY) closeout sale. I was a little worried they might be over the hill, so only got 3. A slight nutty note of oxidation, but nothing unexpected for a 9 yr old Burg, and a delicious wine. Of course, all gone by time I checked back.

DaleW, you are right about the cousins. I now remember the story a bit better. I do believe there was a difference in philosophies between the 2, which is why the split occured. Anne-Claude is apparently a pretty tough lady, with uncompromising standards. I think it is reflected in the Dom. wines, at least the few that I have tried.

jb