Benjamin Leroux Vosne-Romanee 2022

Description

Product Information: An exemplary expression of the commune. This village Vosne-Romanee comes from 6 Lieux-dits with excellent vine material—almost exclusively old selections of Pinot Fin. Pinot Fin is an ancient clone of Pinot Noir that is very rarely found anymore in Burgundy, prized for its ability to produce wines with intense flavour concentration, complexity, and reflect terroir. Captivating bouquet, shows poached strawberry and stony earthiness. There’s fine grip and mouth-perfume, flesh and spice. Classy. Leroux now controls two hectares in Vosne, and the 2022 village wine benefited from the fruit of six separate lieux-dits. Importantly, these vineyards are home to excellent vine material—almost exclusively old selections of Pinot Fin. From north to south, these sites include: Maizieres Basses (organically farmed with 60-year-old Pinot Fin vines); a small portion of Les Violettes; a new-to-Leroux parcel of old-vine Pinot Fin in Genaivrieres (just beneath Domaine Leroy’s vines); and finally, there are Les Jacquines, Croix Blanche and Au-Dessus de la Riviere. These parcels span a range of the village’s terroirs, and each was vinified separately. The one-third whole-bunch quota derives mainly from the northern parcels, and about 10% of the grapes fermented directly in a 450-litre barrel that was rolled instead of punched down (vinification integrale). Crafted with roughly 15% new oak, the 2022 is a superlative expression of the commune. From a season of contradictions. William Kelley writes, ‘the 2022 vintage is proof that Burgundy hasn’t lost its capacity to surprise. How could the hottest, driest vintage since 1947 deliver wines so succulent, suave and charming?’ Every wine critically reviewed was outstanding for its appellation. The whites offer freshness, density and the site transparency that we love from top Burgundy. While the red Burgundies purr with succulent textures, elegant tannins and appetising freshness. And although 2022 was a ripe year, the finesse and balance are extraordinary across the range. After the challenging, low-yielding 2021 season, 2022’s warm, dry, and sunny conditions were a blessing for Burgundy’s vignerons. The success of season was owed to reasonable yields, cool nights and a couple of good rain events at critical periods. All factors that lead to beautiful balanced fruit with excellent vibrancy and freshness throughout. Maker: Lauded wine critic, Jancis Robinson boldly compares young Benjamin Leroux to the legendary Henri Jayer, ‘You may remember that when I asked Allen Meadows, aka Burghound, who he thought might be a natural heir to the late great Henri Jayer of Burgundy, one of the two people he cited was young Benjamin Leroux of Domaine Comte Armand.’ Henri Jayer is synonymous with Burgundy and remains one of the most revered wine personalities of the 20th century. If Jayer is the undisputed king of Burgundy, then Benjamin Leroux is emerging as his rightful heir. Leroux shares Jayer’s perfectionism and diligence, with a remarkable ability to uncover potential in challenging sites. His meticulous vineyard and cellar techniques ensure that each wine reflects a steadfast commitment to quality, much like his revered predecessor. Born and bred in Beaune, Leroux was a prodigy, studying at the Lycee Viticole in Beaune from age 15 and taking the reins at the esteemed Domaine Comte Armand when he was just 24. Leroux would stay at Comte Armand for fifteen vintages, while simultaneously launching his eponymous negociant operation in 2007. By 2014 Leroux left Comte Armand—in great shape, to concentrate on his personal venture. The first stage of his evolution allowed him to establish the winery (in the old Jaboulet-Vercherre premises off the Beaune peripherique) and refine his ideas and understanding of the terroirs with which he wanted to work. The way Leroux structured this side of his business was highly innovative. His aim was to create the same quality standards of the finest domaines, despite not owning most of the vineyards. In tandem with his excelling negociant business, Leroux has quietly been building up his family’s impressive domaine holdings, which now run to eight hectares. Though he worked these vineyards organically and biodynamically from the beginning, it took him several years to apply for organic certification, which came in 2016. Ben’s first vineyard purchase was a 0.16-hectare slice of Batard-Montrachet in 2009, though most of Leroux’s white vineyards lie in Meursault and top-tier parcels in Genevrieres-Dessus and Charmes-Dessus. For the reds he farms his beloved Blagny 1er Cru La Piece Sous le Bois, in Volnay Santenots and there are a number of small parcels in Vosne-Romanee. These wines are a reminder of why people buy, drink and obsess over great Burgundy. The Philosophy: Ben has long-term