DOMAINES LEFLAIVE & ESPRIT LEFLAIVE
BURUGNDY, FRANCE 2023
WHY BUY: Domaine Leflaive makes some of the best white wines in the world, bar none, but most of these tend to be out of reach of the casual collector, with the best of their line approaching $3,000. Which is what makes today's offer so exciting. Many know Leflaive for crafting one of the greatest Montrachets in the world — well, today’s your chance to avail yourself of the consummate artistry of this producer without breaking the bank, in a pair of rich and mineral-driven white wines and a beautifully finessed Premier Cru red. The Mâcon-Verzé is a masterful blend of 5 lieux-dits that amount to a showcase of terroir genius, while the two from Esprit Leflaive show what the estate has been able to achieve in working with handpicked growers who get paid above BIVB rates to ensure that only the best, most exquisite fruit makes it into these beautiful bottles.
THE PEDIGREE: All three wines are a testament to the vision of the late, great Anne-Claude Leflaive, who transformed this Burgundy standard-bearer with her natural fermentations, her reliance upon indigenous yeasts, and, above all, her insistence on letting the terroir speak for itself.
OUR TASTING NOTES: The Mâcon-Verzé tastes like it costs twice what you paid, showcasing developed, nuanced flavors that bespeak sophistication and maturity. That trademark (and incomparable) Leflaive richness is here, wrapped in an elegant and supple structure. The finish is beautifully controlled, and will haunt you. The two Esprit Leflaive Premier Crus are massive bargains, but what we love best about them is their degree of detail and their effortless refinement. Les Vergelesses opens with mineral complexity so profound it practically lectures you on geology, but all of this is, it has to be pointed out, is in the service of the fruit, which is pristine and defined. Les Jarrons, the lone red, is a wine of textures so refined that even to speak of texture is to slight it; it’s a wine that seems to levitate above the palate. But don’t worry: there’s substance, too — a rich, sustained bass note that serves to ground the ethereal.
THE METHOD: Esprit Leflaive's approach is simple on paper, but complex in result: source from organic growers who share the estate's biodynamic principles, harvest with Domaine Leflaive's own team, then vinify everything in their hallowed Puligny-Montrachet cellars. The wines spend two years in barrel followed by eighteen months in bottle before release, meaning they arrive ready to drink but with decades of potential ahead. What more could anyone ask?
THE STORY: The Leflaives have been making wine in Puligny-Montrachet for more than three centuries, ever since Claude Leflaive began cultivating several acres in the region in 1717. Then, as now, Chardonnay remains the focus, with the domaine's vineyards mostly divided between premier crus and grand crus. And, as ever, terroir remains king. Brice de La Morandière, the director of operations and great-grandson of founder Joseph Leflaive, puts a passionate emphasis on biodynamic farming, long and natural fermentations, and the exclusive use of indigenous yeasts, the better to bring forth the literal fruits of some of the most highly-expressive and highly-regarded land in the world. In 2018, the family launched Esprit Leflaive, a brilliant expansion that allows them to explore terroirs beyond their traditional holdings while maintaining their uncompromising standards. Working with carefully selected organic growers across Burgundy, Esprit represents the democratization of Leflaive excellence, without, crucially, abandoning the philosophy that made them legendary. And while the Leflaives might be tradition-bound, they aren't hidebound: over the past decade they undertook a thorough and dynamic renovation of their wine storehouse and cellars: a commitment to the future that has them, and us, excited for all that's to come.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: The ultimate food-friendly wines. The whites will enhance nearly any preparation of fish, seafood, and chicken, and are especially heavenly with risottos, while Les Jarrons seems to have been designed to pair up with roast duck and huckleberries.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines and cases will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2026). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, KY, MI, MO, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, August 4th, 2025.