2020 Blagny, La Pièce Sous le Bois, 1er Cru, Benjamin Leroux, Burgundy
Critics reviews
Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy (January 2022)
Benjamin Leroux works nearly 2ha in Blagny, the upper part planted to Chardonnay, and the lower portion to Pinot Noir in thin clay and limestone soils. In a hot year such as 2020, the result is even better than usual, with a lovely, rich plummy fruit, floral notes and a hint of mineral to give depth, along with a texture that is ripe and supple, but still vibrantly fresh. The grapes are destemmed and carefully fermented before ageing in used casks.
Drink 2023 - 2040
Charles Curtis MW, Decanter.com (Nov 2021)
About this WINE
Benjamin Leroux
Having created a name for himself as régisseur (general manager) of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard, Benjamin Leroux established, with English backing, a small négociant business based in Beaune since 2007. The range is confined to the Côte d’Or, from Chassagne-Montrachet to Gevrey-Chambertin, with the intention of developing farming contracts or indeed purchasing vineyards in the future.
The possibilities are very exciting for this exceptionally talented vigneron. Benjamin is a master at delivering purity of fruit alongside a seamless texture in his wines which have only the subtlest influence of oak. One of Benjamin’s favourite locations for white wine vineyards is the border between Auxey-Duresses and Meursault, which is where Les Vireuils can be found. Here the natural weight of Meursault is enhanced by the fresher minerality typical of the side valley of Auxey-Duresses.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.
Discover the story behind our Own Selection Bourgogne Côte d’Or Pinot Noir, made for us by Benjamin. Read more
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or.
Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.
Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However the best wines have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.
The best examples are still found in Burgundy, although Pinot Noir`s key role in Champagne should not be forgotten. It is grown throughout the world with notable success in the Carneros and Russian River Valley districts of California, and the Martinborough and Central Otago regions of New Zealand.
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Description
This high vineyard is equally adept at red and white; Ben also makes a white here (sold as Meursault-Blagny). Both colours offer a distinct individualism, almost a wild richness and gimlet-like fruit. The red is marked more by black fruit and savoury notes of smoke and tar, all amplified this year. The vines are old, the yields low. Drink 2026-2040.
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