Benjamin Leroux Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Baudines 2023

Description

Chassagne’s high slopes meet Leroux’s quiet precision. From 1980s vines rooted in the stony, limestone-rich soils of Les Baudines, this Premier Cru captures the cool, late-ripening personality of one of the appellation’s most elevated vineyards. Perched near the border of Saint-Aubin, Baudines’ thin topsoil and brisk exposure yield a Chardonnay of striking definition and vertical tension. The 2023 vintage brims with youthful energy, stone fruit, citrus zest, and white flowers interplay with crushed rock and saline nuance. A taut spine of acidity drives the wine’s length, while subtle lees work and gentle oak handling lend textural finesse. Benjamin Leroux has long been praised as one of Burgundy’s most sensitive interpreters of terroir. His work in Baudines is guided by restraint and intuition: hand-harvested fruit, whole-cluster pressing, indigenous fermentations, and elevage in finely judged oak. The viticulture is near-organic, emphasising soil vitality and vineyard balance. The resulting wine shows both depth and precision, muscular yet finely etched, luminous yet grounded. The 2023 is built for patience, with a drinking window opening around 2030, when its core of fruit, mineral drive, and quiet power will come into full harmony. Tasting NotesNOSE– Citrus and stone.Aromas of lemon rind, lime and fresh peach, with hints of passionfruit and a flinty mineral edge. PALATE– Taut and focused.Bright acidity drives stone fruit and citrus, with tropical undertones and a light oak frame. FINISH– Long and mineral.A concentrated close with chalky salinity and gentle spice, balanced by fruit and tension. Reviews & Accolades Bouquet with touches of passion fruit and lemon rind, boasting plenty of energy and fine delineation. The palate is well balanced with a rich core of tropical fruit that’s completely counterbalanced by acidity. There is great weight and concentration on the finish.” – Neal Martin, 92–94 points Finer Details:Style – White WineVarietal – ChardonnayCountry – FranceRegion – BurgundyVintage – 2023Bottle Size – 750mlABV – 14%Closure – Cork