Benjamin Leroux – Beaune

A ripe and faintly exotic nose speaks of yellow orchard fruit, mango and apricot aromas that give way to rich, generous and relatively concentrated middle weight flavors that possess good acid support on the balanced and acceptably long finish though again, there is limited complexity. 87/2013+

There is good richness though and plenty of punch to the noticeably finer middle weight flavors that possess good volume and an appealing touch of minerality on the solidly intense and lingering finish. This is also a lovely villages and worth a look. (89-91)/2014+

The 2009 Savigny-les-Beaune shows off lovely inner perfume in its crushed berries, flowers and minerals in a gracious, feminine style. It is a beauty at this level. This is a blend from three sites that encompass a range of exposures and soil types. Bottled in January 2011  89 – Antonio Galloni, WA

(about 20% of the blend is declassified 1er). A slightly more elegant nose of dark berry fruit and pungent Savigny-style earth where the latter component transfers to the rich, round and very supple middle weight flavors that are also already agreeable and while there is a trace of austerity on the finish, it should round out quickly. 87/2013+ Burghound

The 2009 Volnay Clos de la Cave des Ducs hails from a tiny parcel of light soils above Lafarge farmed biodynamically. This is a slightly ethereal style of Volnay graced with exquisite fruit and pretty, floral aromatics. 92 Antonio Galloni, WA

(from a rarely seen 1er that measures only .64 ha). A slightly riper and more deeply pitched nose speaks of cassis, plum, earth and minerals that also characterize the equally well detailed and wonderfully pure flavors that possess excellent richness and drive on the velvety finish. Excellent juice with very fine medium- term potential. 92/2016+ Burghound

The 2009 Bonnes Mares is a tightly-coiled, inward wine, which is not surprising since Leroux’s fruit comes from the terres blanches sector of the vineyard. Today the Bonnes Mares is cool and intensely mineral yet it possesses dazzling balance. All this needs is time for the layers of fruit to start filling out. It is hugely impressive. (92-94) Antonio Galloni, WA

A discreet touch of wood sets off a fresh, ripe and densely fruited nose that speaks primarily of red berry fruit and stone aromas. The powerful, rich and admirably concentrated flavors evidence an overt muscularity before culminating in a driving, focused and palate staining finish. This is most impressive but note that patience will be required because despite the presence of plenty of extract, this remains very firmly structured. (92-94)/2024+ Burghound A “DON’T MISS” Selection

The 2009 Clos St. Denis is majestic. Layers of fruit emerge as this explosive wine captivates all of the senses. Elegance and power come together with rare pedigree in this Clos St. Denis. Despite its finesse, there is more than enough underlying structure to suggest the wine is built for the long haul. (93-95) Antonio Galloni, WA

The fresh, spicy and elegant nose is composed of cool, earthy and airy dark berry fruit aromas that give way to rich, full and velvety broad- shouldered flavors that possess really lovely harmony and good vibrancy, all wrapped in a mouth coating finish that delivers seriously impressive length. This too appears extremely promising. (92-94)/2024+ Burghound – A “DON’T MISS” Selection

Delicious citrus fruits coupled with an intense minerality make for a complex, punchy, and serious white that shows both power and finesse.

A more elegant if not necessarily more complex nose of freshly turned earth, humus and red currant aromas merges seamlessly into very supple, round and almost surprisingly forward barely middle weight flavors that finish with more overall depth. This is almost easy at present but there appears to be enough underlying structure to permit 6 to 8 years of improvement. (87-90)/2015+

Fresh, earthy and plum suffused aromas that display background nuances of violets… that slide gracefully into delicious and notably complex medium-bodied flavors that possess a seductive and sappy mouth feel on the solidly but not aggressively structured finish. (90-92)/2016+

A very fresh nose of green fruit and an herbal component that is also reflected by the detailed, minerally and admirably pure middle weight flavors that possess good energy and punch on the delicious racy and acceptably long finish. 87/2010+