Benjamin Leroux Gevrey-Chambertin 2020

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. Fifty per cent of Leroux’s 2020 Gevrey hails from 50-year-old vines in Les Seuvrées (bordering Morey) and the northern, limestone-rich La Justice. Some old vines in Les Jeunes Rois and fruit from Champerrier and En Champs (each on the Brochon side of the appellation), complete the picture. And complete is the operative word. There’s no doubt the old vines of Jeunes Rois bring a greater dimension to this cuvée, and we’re glad Leroux decided to keep it in the blend (he has been tempted to bottle this parcel as a separate cuvée, it’s that good). On the technical side, each parcel was vinified separately before blending, 80% of the fruit was de-stemmed, and the wine was aged in 600-litre and 225-litre barrels (20% new). Five Star Wine. This cuvee is usually built around Les Seuvrées and La Justice, boosted from 2020 by the addition of Champerrier, Jeunes Rois and En Champs. Dark but fresh purple, lively fruit and roses, this wine is lovely with more of a heart than usual, more floral, in fact it dances through to the back. The addition of the Brochon end vineyards make this more floral, more juicy, less savoury. – Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – France Region – Burgundy Vintage – 2020 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13%