Benjamin Leroux is one of the most talented winemakers of his generations. He has recently resigned from his job as régisseur at Comte Armand, and is now focusing on this own negociant business in Beaune.
Maison Benjamin Leroux was launched with the 2007 vintage, and has gradually been expanded over the years, and now has a lovely selection of both red and whites.
On my March trip to Burgundy I had the pleasure of visiting Benjamin in the lovely cellars in Beaune located in the old Jaboulet-Vercherre buildings just behind the Bichot complex in Beaune.
The 2013s at Benjamin Leroux
Benjamin was preparing the wines for bottling, so not all was were available for tasting, I did however taste a nice selection of both the whites and the reds.
Benjamin seem to have made the most of the 2013 vintage … the whites are pure, ripe and energetic, with a lovely nerve and balance. They are very delicate and refined for the vintage – showing a lovely potential – my kind of white Burgundies. See tasting notes for the whites here.
The red 2013s here also showed very well for the vintage, and one can really feel how Benjamins attention to detail have minimized the potential problems in the 2013 vintage.
He has found a delicacy in the red 2013s and avoided the inherent austerity in the wines … no doubt by very strict sorting of the grapes to avoid the unripe tannins found in quite many 2013 reds.
So bottom line … some very fine reds from Benjamin Leroux in the 2013 vintage … and then to the notes for the reds!
Tasting notes red 2013s from Benjamin Leroux
I tasted a number of different reds, some from tank others from cask on March 19th 2015 – all were showing well and were possible to evaluate.
Benjamin Leroux, Gevrey Chambertin 2013
The Gevrey-Chambertin generic village is by far the largest of the Benjamin Leroux cuvees in 2013 with 25 casks in total. It may be a large production, but it is certainly a pretty little wine offering a lovely fruity side of the vintage .. Gevrey did well in 2013. In the nose quite forward offering lovely fresh red fruits and a nice expression of earthy minerality. On the palate equally forward with a lovely energetic red fruit. Really like the expression of fruit in this wine ..
(Drink from 2020) – Good+– (87 – 88p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from tank
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Benjamin Leroux, Gevrey Aux Etelois 2013
The Geveey Aux Etelois – located below Griottes-Chambertin – is a step up in definition from the generic village. In the nose more distinct minerality … interlinked with the lovely red fruit – quite floral and expressive. On the palate finely balanced with a very nice core of red fruit and a lovely backbone of acidity and minerality. Very good expression of terroir in this wine .. given it’s level.
(Drink from 2022) – Very Good– (88 – 89p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from tank
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Benjamin Leroux, Gevrey Les Goulots 2013
The 1er cru Les Goulots is quite unknown, and located in the very nothern part of Gevrey almost on the border to Brochon just south of Evocelles and north of Combe au Moine. The bouquet offers fine and delicate red fruits, plum and violets combined with a fine earthy minerality. On the palate a fine mix of red and dark fruit, a lovely balance between the quite delicate fruit and the rather masculine terroir. A very good Gevrey .. long and delightful.
(Drink from 2025) – Very Good+– (90 – 91p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from tank
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Benjamin Leroux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Thorey 2013
Aux Thorey is a lovely spot, and Benjamin Leroux has a good plot here .. and it shows. It’s a darker and more intense wine than the Gevreys offering more depth and weight. On the nose .. a slight reduction, red and dark berry fruit .. nice selection of forest berries and a slight hint of sous-bois. On the palate rather weighty and intense with quite some structure and tannins. It’s a bit more austere currently but will no doubt unfold beautifully .. a classic Thorey.
(Drink from 2028) – Fine– (91 – 92p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from tank
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Benjamin Leroux, Mazoyere Chambertin 2013
The Mazoyere is forward, charming and expressive. In the nose a quite delicate red and dark berry fruit supported by a quite deep earthy minerality .. textbook Gevrey. On the palate quite supple with a lovely core of energetic red fruit .. fine depth and balance .. attractive with a quite gorgeous inner harmony.
(Drink from 2026) – Fine+– (91 – 92p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from cask
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Benjamin Leroux, Clos de la Roche 2013
The Clos de la Roche is a step over in a more dark world. In the nose relatively dark fruit, with a deep earthy minerality .. lovely depth and complexity with it’s quite floral character. On the palate layers of dark berry fruit .. lovely energy and depth, fine weight and intensity .. it’s very long and with a fine complexity. A lovely glass of Clos de la Roche.
(Drink from 2030) – Very Fine– (93p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from cask
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Benjamin Leroux, Bonnes Mares 2013
The Bonnes Mares is a further step up in quality and complexity. Made on white soil it offers a delicate and quite floral expression of the Bonnes Mares terroir. In the nose layered red and dark berry fruit, notes of red forest berries and plum .. supported by a vivid minerality. On the palate rich and quite powerful with a lovely energy and nerve … plenty of weight and layers of juicy fruit. The finish is long and powerful .. with a lovely vibrant mineralic feel. A gorgeous Bonnes Mares in the making.
(Drink from 2030) – Very Fine– (93 – 94p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from cask
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Benjamin Leroux, Clos de Vougeot 2013
The Clos de Vougeot is a big and quite expressive effort .. 100% whole cluster used on this cuvee. In the nose layers of deep fruit .. notes of plum and red and dark berries .. quite a floral element for a Vougeot. On the palate big and weighty with a lovely nerve for this appellation .. layers and layers of fruit … lovely depth supported by the vivid 2013 acidity. A magnificent Clos de Vougeot in the making.
(Drink from 2030) – Very Fine+– (94 – 95p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from cask
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Benjamin Leroux, Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 2013
Les Amoureuses .. what can I say .. I love this terroir. And the 2013 from Benjamin Leroux is no exception, although slightly closed at the tasting in March. The bouquet offer cool and delicate red and dark berry fruit .. pure with a lovely arrey of spices interlinked with the feisty minerality. On the palate a step down in weight from the Clos de Vougeot .. but a step up in vibrant energy and nerve .. it’s just so refined with it’s delicate tannins and the filigree minerality. A quite intense Les Amoureuses … what a delightful glass of pinot .. only magnums sadly, quality suggest that larger formats would be ideal!
(Drink from 2028) – Very Fine+– (94 – 95p) – Tasted 19/03/2015 from cask
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Tasting Notes for this producer
- Benjamin Leroux, Echezeaux 2014 March 10, 2018
- Benjamin Leroux, Bonnes Mares 2009 February 7, 2017
- Benjamin Leroux, Gevrey Chambertin 2013 September 27, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Gevrey Aux Etelois 2013 September 27, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Clos de la Roche 2013 September 27, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Mazoyere Chambertin 2013 September 27, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Thorey 2013 September 27, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Gevrey Les Goulots 2013 September 27, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Bonnes Mares 2013 September 21, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Clos de Vougeot 2013 September 20, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 2013 September 20, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Clos Saint Denis 2012 March 14, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Corton Charlemagne 2012 February 21, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Meursault 2012 February 21, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot 2007 February 18, 2015
- Benjamin Leroux, Clos Saint Denis 2011 March 14, 2014
- Benjamin Leroux, Meursault 2011 March 5, 2014
- Benjamin Leroux, Puligny Montrachet 2010 February 28, 2013
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