Leroy : Beaune 1er cru "Les Montrevenots" 2018

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Beaune 1er Cru "Les Montrevenots" 2018 by Domaine Leroy

Tasting

Colour

The wine displays a deep, brilliant ruby-red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals a rich, complex bouquet with aromas of ripe red fruit such as cherry and raspberry, accompanied by subtle notes of vanilla and sweet spices. A delicate floral touch adds a further dimension of elegance and refinement.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is ample and structured, with firm yet remarkably fine tannins that coat the palate without harshness. The red fruit and spice flavours linger with intensity, while a tangy freshness brings balance and vibrancy. The finish is long and persistent, leaving lightly oaky and spicy impressions with a subtle mineral touch.

Food and wine pairings

This Beaune 1er Cru pairs beautifully with red meats and poultry prepared in the French tradition. It is an ideal match for herb-crusted lamb chops, roast duck or classic Burgundian dishes such as coq au vin or bœuf bourguignon. Aged soft cheeses such as Époisses also make a harmonious pairing.

Serving and cellaring

The Beaune 1er Cru "Les Montrevenots" 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 15–16°C. Although it already offers immediate pleasure, this wine has excellent ageing potential that will allow it to develop even greater complexity over the years.

A Beaune 1er Cru from Burgundy combining finesse and complexity, by Domaine Leroy

The estate

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

The vineyard

The Les Montrevenots climat lies at the southern tip of the Beaune appellation, on the border with Pommard, on a high slope rising to around 300 metres above sea level. This elevated position gives the vineyard optimal exposure and ideal ripening conditions. The soils consist of clay-limestone marls rich in limestone and are particularly stony, characteristics that favour the production of wines combining finesse and structure. This terroir yields wines of great elegance, pairing the delicacy typical of Beaune with remarkable concentration and complexity.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Burgundy is considered exceptional and is often compared to the great 1990 and 1947 vintages. The season was marked by remarkable precocity, with very early budbreak and flowering. The summer was hot and sunny with very little rainfall, allowing optimal phenolic ripeness. Welcome rain at the end of August provided the vines with much-needed water before the harvest. Dry, warm conditions in September and early October made it possible to reach exceptional levels of ripeness, with perfectly healthy and concentrated grapes. This sunny, generous vintage produced wines of remarkable richness while retaining freshness and balance.

Winemaking and ageing

The Beaune 1er Cru "Les Montrevenots" 2018 is made according to Domaine Leroy's strict biodynamic principles. The grapes are meticulously sorted, with the stems and stalks removed for precise control over the tannic structure. Fermentation takes place in custom-made wooden vats, using only indigenous yeasts, and temperatures can reach 33°C to maximise aromatic extraction. The wine is aged exclusively in new French oak barrels from the François Frères cooperage. It is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, thus preserving its integrity and authenticity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.