Esprit Leflaive

Esprit Leflaive is a contemporary label established by Domaine Leflaive, a producer in Puligny-Montrachet. Brice de La Morandière, the great-grandson of founder Joseph Leflaive and current manager of the domaine, initiated the project with the 2018 vintage. This venture functions as a boutique négociant business, allowing the house to explore terroirs outside of its traditional estate holdings in the Côte de Beaune and the Mâconnais. It is a distinct branch of the family operations that focuses on partnerships with individual growers who share the house's viticultural standards.

The grapes for this label are sourced from diverse regions including Chablis, the Côte de Nuits, and several appellations in the Côte de Beaune. A central requirement for these sourcing partnerships is the use of organic or biodynamic farming practices, which reflects the long standing commitment to biodynamics at the parent domaine. The fruit is harvested by the Leflaive team and vinified at their cellars in Puligny-Montrachet. Under the direction of Pierre Vincent, who served as general manager and winemaker during the label's formative years, the wines are crafted with an emphasis on mineral precision. Vinification techniques involve long, natural fermentations followed by aging in French oak barrels, concrete eggs, or stainless steel vats depending on the specific wine.

The portfolio is characterized by a selection of premier and grand cru wines, including Corton-Charlemagne, Pouilly-Fuissé, and Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume. While the parent estate is historically focused on Chardonnay, Esprit Leflaive includes Pinot Noir from locations such as Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune Premier Cru. This expansion allows the house to demonstrate its technical expertise across a broader variety of Burgundian grapes and styles. The label maintains a high standing in the market, benefiting from the reputation and resources of Domaine Leflaive while providing a specific perspective on the regional diversity of Burgundy.