Benjamin Leroux Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Haut Jarrons 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. The vines here are owned by one of Leroux’s close friends and are sited in the heart of the 1er Cru, on the east-facing, Beaune side of Savigny. This is the area from where the most elegant Savigny wines tend to derive—so perfect for powerful years. Like most of the terrain in the Côte d’Or, the soils here are clay/limestone, but the clay here is light and sandy. So, although there’s more flesh here than in the villages cuvée—there is also greater finesse. The 2020 was fermented with only a pinch of whole bunch. It’s an excellent value 1er Cru that always drinks well from release. But this will certainly benefit from at least short-term aging (3-7 years). Bright vibrant purple, deep raspberry with some currants too, this has a fresh overlay and is well in harmony, with an excellent fruit acid balance, much more than tannins. Good length too, showing very well in quite a refined style. 14.2% (an outlier chez Leroux) but this really does not show. – Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – France Region – Burgundy Vintage – 2020 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.5%