Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Clavoillon” 2016

Leflaive’s Puligny monopole in a low-yield concentrated vintage — the reference register for white Burgundy.

Taste
Citrus oil, white peach, hazelnut, and crushed stone, framed by Puligny’s signature mineral cut. Tense, precise, and still youthful.

Region
From Puligny-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. Clavoillon is a 1er cru monopole — Domaine Leflaive farms it exclusively. The domaine is biodynamic, family-run, and considered the white Burgundy reference.

About This Wine
Body: Medium body · Acidity: High, focused · Texture: Silky, persistent

Best For
Serious dinner pairing (lobster, scallops, poularde), Burgundy collector’s shelf, gift for a white Burgundy lover

For Who
White Burgundy collectors, hosts pairing crustacean or poultry dinners, gift recipients with a Côte de Beaune shelf

Similar To
If you love Coche-Dury, Roulot, or Lafon Meursault, this is the Puligny counterpart — same level of precision, slightly different register (more mineral, less roundness).

Pairing
Lobster, scallops, sole meunière, poached chicken, beurre blanc preparations, aged Comté, sushi

Drink Window
Drink 2026–2032. Currently in a good window with several years of upside.

Collector Note
2016 was a frost-shortened Burgundy vintage — yields were down dramatically, producing concentrated wines with high acid and structure. Clavoillon 2016 will reward 5–8 more years of cellar time. Premox is a known white Burgundy risk; this vintage and producer are well-regarded for longevity, but store cold and check closures.

Mood
Refined, precise, contemplative, dinner-table

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does ‘monopole’ mean and why does it matter?
A: A monopole is a single-producer vineyard — only one domaine farms it. For Clavoillon, that’s Domaine Leflaive. Monopoles allow one philosophy and one set of hands to express a specific terroir, which is valuable when the producer is at Leflaive’s level.

Q: Is white Burgundy worth aging?
A: Yes, at the 1er cru and Grand Cru level — village-tier whites are best young, but 1er crus from top domaines like Leflaive reward 5–10 years of cellar time. Store cold (cellar conditions matter more for white Burgundy than red).

Q: What food pairs best with Puligny-Montrachet?
A: Crustaceans (lobster, scallops, langoustine), butter-based fish preparations, poached chicken, and rich shellfish dishes. The wine’s acid and mineral cut work especially well with sweetness from shellfish and richness from butter sauces.