Reviews & Scores
Bright, light yellow. Very rich, explosive aromas of exotic pineapple and honey lifted by pungent calcaire. Extremely rich and concentrated but classically dry and fine-grained, without an ounce of excess weight. A powerful expression of crushed-stone minerality, with its grapefruit and lemon cut accentuating the impression of inner-mouth tension and energy. Finishes extremely long, with a fine dusting of tannins and the strong lemony acidity drawing out the fruit. The pH here is a very low 3.0, according to managing director Brice de la Morandière. Just after the bottling, I described this wine's pineapple and crushed-stone aromas as Riesling-like--at least compared to the estate's Batard-Montrachet. A very strong vintage for this wine, and a spectacular start to the tasting. This Chevalier-Montrachet should be long-lived. (13.05% natural alcohol; the harvest at Domaine Leflaive began on September 14; overall production was reduced by half in 2012, owing to a long, difficult flowering with extensive coulure and millerandage_; at the time, then-winemaker Eric Remy noted that "rot was the only problem that we didn't have in 2012") (Drink between 2024-2042) - VM
VM96+September 2019
A trace of reduction detracts only marginally from the appeal of the otherwise pretty and mildly exotic aromas of acacia blossom, pear, mandarin orange and wet stone aromas. The delicious, gorgeously elegant and pure imposingly-scaled flavors possess a silky palate impression on the concentrated, explosive and stunningly long finish that seems to be composed of liquid rock and a very firm spine of citrus-inflected acidity. This is a very big, indeed even huge Chevalier that is overtly powerful and one that should age effortlessly for decades. In sum this is an old school vintage for the Leflaive Chevalier so I would suggest buying it only with the clear intention of cellaring it for the long-term. (Drink starting 2027) - BH
BH96June 2014
Extraordinary charm on the nose! Already! Sprightly and lively with lots of lift and fruit. Very much less dense than the Bâtard but with real class. Underneath there is weight but on top it is all come-hither appeal. Crackling finish. (Drink between 2017-2028) - JR
JR18.5December 2013
The 2012 Chevalier-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive is stunning. The bouquet wafts from the glass in an utterly complete and magical blend of pear, tangerine, lemon, pastry cream, very complex, chalky minerality, lemon zest, lemon blossoms and a very stylish base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is gorgeous, with its full-bodied and brilliantly elegant palate impression offering up a great core of fruit, impeccable transparency, bright, zesty acids and laser-like focus on the seamless, utterly suave and endless finish. Sheer brilliance! - JG
JG99November 2013
Dense and reserved, Leflaive's 2012 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, toasted bread, citrus zest, mandarin and crisp peach, framed by a touch of light reduction and new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and powerful, with tangy acids, prodigious concentration and a penetrating, mouthwatering finish. - WA
WA95+