Benjamin Leroux Gevrey-Chambertin 2017

Benjamin Leroux was born in Beaune, not to a vigneron family, but decided in his teens that he wanted to make wine and at the age of 13 attended the  Lycée Viticole in Baune. After his oenology studies, he worked at Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, Louis Jadot in Beaune before making a name for himself as the régisseur (general manager) of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard. Benjamin Leroux established a small negociant business in 2007. For fifteen years, this has been one of the most dynamic cellars on the Côte in terms of winemaking. Leroux works with some 50 appellations and every wine has its own bespoke treatment according to the conditions of each vintage. 

This hails from the 50-year-old vines of Les Seuvrées (bordering Morey and contributing 50% of the blend); the northern limestone-rich La Justice; and old vines in Le Fourneau, in the centre of the appellation. To add to these perennial sources, the 2017 takes in a little old-vines Jeunes Rois, in Brochon near the Fixin border. So, it is really a universal Gevrey. Each parcel is vinified separately before blending. There was minimal whole bunch used and the wine was raised in 228-litre barrels to add a little more flesh. Leroux’s aim was to channel the more elegant, floral side of Gevrey and this is on show here, with a terrifically perfumed, nuanced and textured wine with notes of peony and rose petal, grenadine and blackcurrant and plenty of that classic Gevrey ‘iron filings’ minerality. The finish is mouthwatering, intense yet precise, with super-fine tannins.

Medium deep red with a perfect Gevrey style nose, light red fruit, more savoury than sweet, yet pure and mouth-filling, between cherry and raspberry, very good length. Very fine. - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2017
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Cork