Description
Benjamin Leroux Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 2016 1.5L
- Size: 0.10 ha (0.25 ac)
- Variety: Pinot Noir
- Vine Age: Planted from 1982 to 1983
- Terroir: Chambolle side of Bonnes Mares, limestone-rich terres blanches soil
- Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée
- Vinification: 100% de-stemmed, indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged for 18 months in barrel (15% new oak), unfined, unfiltered.
Ben takes a domaine philosophy, focused on establishing and maintaining contracts with growers who work for top quality vines and fruit rather than seeking prestigious appellations. Ben and his team carefully guide the vineyard work, for the most part carried out by the owners. Vines are plowed and are at least lutte raisonnée, while many are organic or biodynamic. When Ben deems necessary, his team carries out green harvest themselves. All vines are harvested by Ben’s team and grapes are sorted at the winery in Beaune. Ben’s cuverie is fit with state of the art equipment.
If you’re not familiar with Leroux, he became the technical director of Comte Armand at 24, before which he enrolled in viticultural school at 15. In other words, the writing was on the wall. His style is polished, elegant, and vibrant. Despite rapidly trending toward ‘benchmark’ status amongst people who know what’s up, his wines still offer phenomenal value for the price.
