2021 Benjamin Leroux Pommard

WINEMAKER: Benjamin Leroux
REGION: Burgundy, FR
VARIETY: Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

With both this cuvée and the wonderful Rugiens-Hauts, Leroux is back in Pommard with a bang. As with last year, this is a blend of Les Vaumuriens (high on the slope) and Les Cras (on the lower slope. Both vineyards lie on the Volnay side of the village, and Leroux notes the cooler, hillside fruit from Les Vaumuriens brings freshness and balance to the blend. This was crafted from 100% destemmed berries and raised with roughly 20% new oak. We have very little.

Benjamin Leroux is widely considered to be one of the most gifted and knowledgeable wine growers in all the Côte d’Or. Born and bred in Beaune, Leroux has always been considered a prodigy, studying at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune from age 15 and taking the reins at the esteemed Domaine Comte Armand when he was just 24. Leroux would stay at Comte Armand for fifteen vintages, while simultaneously launching his eponymous négociant operation in 2007.

Leroux’s knowledge of the Côte is encyclopaedic, and he has unearthed some very exciting, previously less well-known terroirs for his portfolio. It’s important not to underestimate how close Leroux works with these growers, as that is one of the keys to his ability to coax the finest fruit quality from the vineyards. He never buys juice or finished wine, only fruit; he nominates the harvest dates and will pick himself if necessary.