75cl
Benjamin Leroux Gevrey Chambertin 2018
Vendor code : 1075
Benjamin Leroux is considered one of the most gifted and knowledgeable winemakers in the entire Côte d'Or. He worked at Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, Louis Jadot in Beaune and, at the age of 24, became General Manager of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard. For fifteen years, Domaine du Comte Armand was one of the most dynamic wineries. At his eponymous winery, Leroux adheres to organic and biodynamic practices, working only with quality vintners who do not use herbicides or pesticides. Leroux has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Côte d'Or, and he has "dug up" some very interesting, previously lesser-known terroirs for his portfolio. All of them are at a very high level.
Color
Red
Fortress
13,5%
Country
France
Grape
Pinot Noir
Region
Burgundy
Vintage
2018
Producer
Benjamin Leroux
Not available
The 2018 Gevrey Chambertin Villages is Benjamin's premier village cuvée, harvested from vines totaling 2 hectares. The vines here were planted from 1935 to 1995. The 10% whole bunch fermented wines impart just a touch of well-integrated menthol character, while maintaining perfect purity of fruit with rose flavors and a texture that balances elegance and traditional Gevrey Chambertin thoroughness. The tannins are firm, and the wine retains impressive freshness for this vintage. This is a worthy village cru, one that you will immediately snatch up from restaurant menus. It is recommended to drink between 2023 and 2030.
Benjamin Leroux is considered one of the most gifted and knowledgeable winemakers in the entire Côte d'Or. Born in Beaune in 1975 and raised surrounded by vineyards, he became interested in winemaking very early on. "I could taste wine, not drink it, from a very young age, and I always liked it," Leroux recalls. "Not because it was forbidden, but because of its aromas, flavors, and the experiences associated with it." At the age of 15, he enrolled in an oenological lycée in Beaune. After studying oenology, he worked at Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, and Louis Jadot in Beaune. At the age of 24, he became general manager of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard. For fifteen years, Domaine du Comte Armand was one of the most dynamic wine cellars. In parallel, in 2007, Benjamin founded a small business producing and selling wine as a negociant. In 2014, Leroux left Domaine du Comte Armand to focus on his own company, Benjamin Leroux. His goal was to create wines to the same quality standards as the top domains, despite not owning the majority of the vineyards. In addition to his own 8 hectares, Leroux maintains long-term relationships with the producers he collaborates with, compensating some of them based on acreage rather than the volume of fruit harvested. This allows him to dictate lower yields, ripeness, harvest dates, and so on. Leroux works only with quality growers who do not use herbicides or pesticides. Leroux has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Côte d'Or, and he has "dug up" some very interesting, previously lesser-known terroirs for his portfolio. "He definitely has a gift for touch that seems to elevate everything from rustic cru to great cru," wine critic Neal Martin says of Leroux. Today, Benjamin works with some 50 appellations, and each wine is customized according to the conditions of each vintage. Each year, this thoughtful and precise producer continues to raise the bar, constantly adapting to each vintage and the ever-changing climate. He remains one of the most talented and educated winemakers in Burgundy, and while he can produce up to fifty different wines in any given year, they are all at a remarkably high level.
Reviews from critics
94/100
1 points
95-100
0
90-94
1
85-89
0
80-84
0
75-79
0
0-74
0
Decanter
The lieux-dits Les Seuvrées, La Justice, Billard, and Le Fourneau all contribute grapes for this cuvée. 10% fermented as whole clusters give just a touch of well-integrated menthol character, but there is a perfect purity of rose-scented cherry fruit here and a texture that balances elegance and traditional Gevrey backbone. The tannins are firm, and the wine retains admirable freshness for the vintage. This is a marvelous village-level Gevrey.
Not available