Lot presentation

Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières d'Auvenay (Domaine) 1999

The wine

Lying partway up the slope, Les Folatières is one of the highest-prized premier crus in Puligny-Montrachet. And it goes without saying that when Lalou-Bize Leroy owns the vineyards, the wines develop a cult following. Grape yields are extremely low, as is customary for Domaine d’Auvenay, and there are no shortcuts with vinification and élevage. As an outcome, this is one of the finest wines produced in the village, surpassing many grand crus in its complexity and concentration. Age for at least 12 years.

About the Producer Domaine d'Auvenay

The Domaine d'Auvenay belongs to the charismatic Lalou Bize-Leroy, who is also at the head of the less famous Leroy domain in Meursault. Its Chardonnays are noted to be the best in the world and their prices reflect this success. Madame Bize-Leroy, an energetic lady in her seventies, is also a fervent subscriber of biodynamics. She is Henri Leroy's daughter, the founder of the Leroy winemerchants, who bought half of the DRC (Domaine de la Roumanée Conti) in 1942 . In 1950s, she took over Maison Leroy, which had an impressive stock of vintage wines. In 1974 she took over from her father and became the joint manager of the DRC with her cousin Aubert de Villaine. She had to step down from this position in 1992, but still owns 25% of the shares. While building up the Leroy domain with other quality parcels, she purchased a farm at Saint-Romain that was to become the Domaine d'Auvenay. Included under this name are also the parcels inherited from her father, which were bought between 1989 and 1995.

Detailed characteristics