Ripe stone fruits and hazelnut on the nose. Quite rich, almost exotic, in the mouth, showing the ripe, fat side of vintage 2005. This is atypically rich for this cuvee Wonderfully layered wine but today I find more grip in the Combettes. This was great from cuve, notes Pierre Morey, but it has been more affected by the bottling than the estate's other premier crus. I'd give this at least four or five years to get organized.

– vinous.com, Sept 2007

While 2005 marks the vintage when premature oxidation began to make extensive depredations in the Leflaive cellars, this bottle of the 2005 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles was actually quite reductive on opening, unfurling in the glass with notes of mandarin oil, wheat toast, pear and pastry cream as its gentle leesiness dissipated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and quite textural, with chewy, almost phenolic extract and good length, nicely balanced in this sometimes-blowsy vintage. My only criticism would be that in personality this bottle seemed to nod more to Meursault than Puligny.

The 2005 Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1er Cru has a tensile bouquet that sports a clever, subtle reduction without occluding its mineralité . The palate does not quite deliver the heights of the aromatics, a little simpler than expected, though well balanced with sufficient depth and length on the finish. Perhaps this doesn't "sing" like a top Leflaive? Tasted at Clarette restaurant in London.

Very broad and engaging on the nose with its slightly toasty topnote. Round and glorious with a thoroughly satisfying texture – quite a mouthful. So clean yet rich! This has real depth and savour. At the end of the palate it shut down a little but all in all this was a very good showing indeed. This would be dangerously easy to enjoy young. Great richness but great balance – no shortage of acidity. (JR)