Benjamin Leroux Vosne-Romanée 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.  

The two core parcels here, Maizières Basses and Les Violettes, are both organically farmed plots with 60-year-old Pinot Fin vines. Both also lie on the Flagey side of the village, close to Clos Vougeot. The fruit from both of these vineyards was fermented entirely as whole bunches, while the harvest from a third parcel, Aux Raviolles, was entirely destemmed. Aux Raviolles lies at the opposite end of Vosne, under the northern 1er Crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges. From 2019 Leroux will be working with three hectares in Vosne and his understanding of the village is really starting to shine through. This is just a beautiful wine: fine, pure and juicy with a silky, seductive mouthfeel and good structure on the finish.

Ben Leroux has produced a series of textbook wines in 2017, with clear differences between the terroirs and villages. This sees two-thirds whole-bunch fruit - the portion that comes from the Aux Ravioles lieu-dit close to the border with Nuits-St-Georges is destemmed - and is matured in one-third new oak. It's brimming with sappy, juicy red berry flavours and beguiling sweetness. - Tim Atkin MW, Decanter

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