Benjamin Leroux Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent Vignes 2017

Benjamin Leroux was born in Beaune, not to a vigneron family, but decided in his teens that he wanted to make wine and at the age of 13 attended the  Lycée Viticole in Baune. After his oenology studies, he worked at Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, Domaine Drouhin in Oregon, Louis Jadot in Beaune before making a name for himself as the régisseur (general manager) of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard. Benjamin Leroux established a small negociant business in 2007. For fifteen years, this has been one of the most dynamic cellars on the Côte in terms of winemaking. Leroux works with some 50 appellations and every wine has its own bespoke treatment according to the conditions of each vintage. 

Leroux has been working with a grower here since 2015. Convinced of the quality, he purchased the 0.5-hectare plot in 2021, so going forward this will be a domaine-owned bottling. The plot, on Cent-Vignes’ grèze litée brown gravels, is planted to 50-year-old vines. Les Cent-Vignes is one of the first vineyards you encounter if you’re heading west out of Beaune. Leroux is delighted to be working in the appellation and would welcome more sources “without hesitation”. Beaune is certainly on the rise. 

Pretty but lightish colour, a gentle red fruit nose, no great weight to this, with good acidity behind. A lighter, sandy Beaune though still some attractive perfume behind. - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy 

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2017
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Cork