Esprit Leflaive is a new venture between Brice de La Morandière, Leflaive family incumbent and head of Domaine Leflaive, and the highly respected Pierre Vincent, Leflaive’s winemaker and general manager since 2017.
Venturing into Pommard, Beaune and Chablis this somewhat audacious move from Leflaive’s Mâconnais and Puligny-Montrachet heartland has added new realms of Pinot Noir and expanded its existing Chardonnay empire.
This new project, although intrinsically linked to Domaine Leflaive, needed its own identity with a nod to its roots – ‘spirit of Leflaive’ sums up exactly that. Uniting the talents of Brice and Pierre and its uncompromising reach for the very highest of levels, the domaine works closely with trusted vigneron partners. Although Leflaive is no stranger to innovation, it's the highly personal nature that sets Esprit Leflaive apart.
Another point of difference worth noting is that these wines are not released en primeur, but rather in bottle once they have had time to develop. A quality conscious decision which allows customers to enjoy the wines.
The 2019 vintage wines of Esprit Leflaive will be released in January 2024.
Esprit Leflaive is a new venture between Brice de La Morandière, Leflaive family incumbent and head of Domaine Leflaive, and the highly respected Pierre Vincent, Leflaive’s winemaker and general manager since 2017.
Venturing into Pommard, Beaune and Chablis this somewhat audacious move from Leflaive’s Mâconnais and Puligny-Montrachet heartland has added new realms of Pinot Noir and expanded its existing Chardonnay empire.
This new project, although intrinsically linked to Domaine Leflaive, needed its own identity with a nod to its roots – ‘spirit of Leflaive’ sums up exactly that. Uniting the talents of Brice and Pierre and its uncompromising reach for the very highest of levels, the domaine works closely with trusted vigneron partners. Although Leflaive is no stranger to innovation, it's the highly personal nature that sets Esprit Leflaive apart.
Another point of difference worth noting is that these wines are not released en primeur, but rather in bottle once they have had time to develop. A quality conscious decision which allows customers to enjoy the wines.
The 2019 vintage wines of Esprit Leflaive will be released in January 2024.
BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2019
This comes from five plots, just outside Pommard. Fresh red cherries and vanilla-cinnamon spice aromas. A joyously ripe palate of raspberry and strawberry fruit, succulent and crunchy, with a core of sweetness making for a sumptuously early drinking, approachable style. Lively and refreshing. 100% destemmed and vinified half in stainless steel, half in old oak barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 16.5 - 17
Recommended drinking from 2021 – 2024
£[ ]/CASE OF BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY 2019
This wine comes from four plots, two purchased in 1995 and two in 2010, in the middle of the appellation: two in Les Lurets, one in Les Famines and another in Les Paux Bois. A delicate, pure berried nose of raspberry and roses, laced with winter spice. The palate is crisp and harmonious, with poised raspberry fruit and a rocky mineral aspect, with lingering blue-fruited perfume. 100% destemmed.
Corney & Barrow Score 16.5+
Recommended drinking from 2023 – 2027
£[ ]/CASE OF BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
POMMARD 1ER CRU LES ARVELETS 2019
Les Arvelets is a 0.5 hectare south-facing sloping vineyard beside the domaine’s cuverie, whose red clay soils give high ripeness levels. Blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose, with nice undergrowthy aromas. The palate is pure-fruited, with blackberry and raspberry flavours delivering an impressive clarity of expression. Perfectly weighted, rich but with a sense of lightness, the fruit held in place by fine supporting tannins.
Corney & Barrow Score 17+
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2030
£[ ]/CASE OF BOTTLES, IN BOND UK