The Mâcon-Verzé 2023 Domaine Leflaive is the key to discovering the grandeur of Burgundy without needing to invest in a Grand Cru. It’s crafted with the same care and technique as the estate’s top wines, but from a more “affordable” appellation. What’s more, many consider it one of the most accessible fine wines in the world!
Domaine Leflaive, with roots dating back to the 18th century in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet, became globally renowned for its exceptional white wines made from Chardonnay. A major turning point came in the early 21st century, when Anne-Claude Leflaive, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture, decided to expand the Domaine southward into the Mâconnais region.
Anne-Claude Leflaive took over the Domaine in 1993 and was the driving force behind its transformation into a fully biodynamic estate—a bold and forward-thinking move for the time. She firmly believed that the energy of the land and harmony with nature were essential for producing wines with soul. She held that the shape of the cellar, the flow of energy, and its relationship with the moon could influence the wine. She even designed a cellar in the shape of an egg, allowing the wine to remain in constant motion, in line with biodynamic principles. Mâcon-Verzé was the first wine outside Puligny to follow this philosophy.
The story of Mâcon-Verzé began in 2004, when Anne-Claude Leflaive chose to extend Domaine Leflaive beyond the boundaries of Puligny-Montrachet. She purchased a small but exceptionally gifted plot of 14.65 hectares in the village of Verzé, at the heart of the Mâconnais region. From the outset, the vines were cultivated biodynamically, following the same principles she had successfully applied in Puligny-Montrachet. This wine was destined to become a benchmark for the quality that the region could offer, and is now considered one of the most accessible fine wines in the world—as well as one of the most premium Mâcons.
The grapes for the Mâcon-Verzé 2023 Domaine Leflaive are hand-harvested, and the wine is fermented using indigenous yeasts in cement tanks (78%), oak vats (10%), and French oak barrels (12%), with 40% of the barrels being new. After fermentation, the wine remains in contact with its lees for 10 months, then is transferred to stainless steel tanks for a further 6 months of ageing on fine lees before bottling. Every step of the winemaking process is meticulously planned to produce a wine that is complex, rich, and elegant—one that uniquely expresses the terroir, the grape variety, and the distinctive style of Domaine Leflaive.
If you haven’t added it to your basket yet, you’re already running late!
