Leroy : Vosne-Romanée Village 2017

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Vosne-Romanée Village 2017 from Domaine Leroy

Tasting

Colour

The wine displays a deep red hue with vermilion highlights, verging on shades of black tulip, reflecting the characteristic intensity of a great Vosne-Romanée.

Nose

Initially reserved, the nose gradually opens up with aeration to reveal aromas of perfectly ripe strawberries, blueberries and blackcurrant. Floral notes of rose petals accompany hints of roasted cocoa and a complex array of spices.

Palate

On the palate, the Pinot Noir expresses itself in all its fullness, with an imposing yet noble tannic structure made up of silky, abundant tannins. The intense, pure fruit reflects the exceptional concentration achieved through the estate's very low yields. The balance between richness and finesse is perfect. The persistent finish leaves an impression of juicy fruit coating the palate, accompanied by mineral, savoury and stony sensations.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Vosne-Romanée Village 2017 is an ideal match for herb-roasted poultry or game birds such as quail and partridge. It also pairs perfectly with oven-roasted lamb, simply prepared lean beef or pan-seared foie gras. Soft washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses, Langres or Cîteaux also make excellent pairings.

Serving and Cellaring

The Vosne-Romanée Village 2017 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 14 and 16°C, allowing its aromatic complexity to express itself fully while preserving its freshness.

A Vosne-Romanée Village Combining Elegance and Exceptional Concentration

The Estate

François Leroy, owner of vineyards in Auxey-Duresses and Musigny among others, founded the négociant house Leroy in 1868. His son Joseph, and a few years later his grandson Henri, gradually expanded the business, notably by creating a branch dedicated to the production of liqueurs and eaux-de-vie. In 1942, Henri Leroy acquired half of the prestigious terroir of Romanée-Conti. Following his death, his younger daughter Lalou Bize-Leroy joined Domaine Leroy in 1955 and served as co-manager of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, alongside Aubert de Villaine, from 1974 to 1992.

The Vineyard

This Vosne-Romanée Village comes from plots located within the appellation of the same name, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits. This village produces the most refined and elegant expressions of Pinot Noir in Burgundy. The soils consist of brown limestone material resulting from a mixture of clay and limestone, with a thin layer of topsoil covering the limestone bedrock. This geological composition creates optimal conditions for producing concentrated red wines with excellent ageing potential. The estate practises certified biodynamic viticulture, with meticulous manual work carried out by a team of forty people. The vines, which average 60 years of age, are grown without systematic trimming, the shoots being rolled up rather than cut. Each vine produces no more than four bunches, ensuring exceptional concentration.

The Vintage

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy is regarded as a sunny one, reflecting a particularly warm growing season. After budburst was delayed by around three weeks, the period from May to August was marked by sufficient warmth, moderate temperatures and adequate rainfall, avoiding excessive water stress. The harvest took place in favourable conditions, with picking of the reds beginning in early September under mostly dry weather. The 2017 wines are characterised by ripe fruit without extreme concentration, while retaining a freshness and transparency that allow the terroirs to express themselves clearly. The year is described as classic, with a remarkable balance between ripeness and vivacity, and generous volumes after several years of limited yields.

Vinification and Ageing

The Vosne-Romanée Village 2017 is vinified in keeping with the estate's philosophy of minimal intervention. The grapes are sorted twice, first in the vineyard and then on large sorting tables at the estate. Particular attention is paid to separating the pedicels and stems, a painstaking process requiring considerable manual work. Vinification is carried out with 100% whole bunches, preserving complexity and tannic structure. Extended maceration allows for complete phenolic extraction. The wine is aged in 100% new French oak barrels from the François Frères cooperage, with toast levels chosen to suit the characteristics of the terroir. The wine is neither fined nor filtered, thus preserving all its texture and aromatic complexity.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir