The Chevalier-Montrachet site owes its terroir to its position high on the slope. The limestone-based soil is much thinner than that in Montrachet below, and has a higher proportion of marl. The soil conditions allow the vines easy access to the subtle mineral components of the limestone substrata below, and forces them to grow strong, healthy roots as anchors. Chevalier also benefits from excellent drainage, which further encourages root development, resulting in a higher quality of fruit and more complex wines.

“Here the almost unbelievably complex nose is more restrained than that of the Bâtard with its pure aromas of lilac, rose petal, lavender, spiced pear, exotic tea and lemon confit. There is excellent richness and outstanding volume to the wonderfully textured and highly sophisticated flavors that are also blessed with an abundance of dry extract that buffers the very firm acid backbone on the explosively long and palate staining finish where the minerality is so prominent that it’s like rolling small rocks around the mouth. This beautifully balanced and focused effort is potentially one of the genuinely great examples of the Leflaive Chevalier, which given the absolutely stellar track record of one of Burgundy’s most iconic white wines, is really saying something. If you can find it, don’t hesitate though note well that patience is be firm necessity.”
96-99 points, Burghound, June 2023

“Lemon in colour with a light green reflection. The Chevalier is clearly stricter than the two Bâtards. Chiselled, firm, not yet flamboyant, pure white fruit as ever, a little lime at the finish mixed into the flesh – indeed rather broader at the finish than expected. A little biscuity note too. The Chevalier is less in place today than the other Grands Crus but may well settle down to justify its place in the hierarchy. Drink from 2027-2037.”
93-97 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy, April 2023