2012 Domaine Leroy Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Narbantons 1er Cru

Domaine Leroy and Lalou Bize-Leroy

Domaine Leroy is one of Burgundy's most legendary names. Under the leadership of Lalou Bize-Leroy, an icon in the wine world, it ranks among the absolute top. After her time at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Lalou focused entirely on her own estate, where she has elevated biodynamic viticulture to an art form. Her vineyards are treated like living organisms, where every detail—from soil life to lunar cycles—contributes to the final result.

Domaine Leroy's wines are renowned for their energy, depth, and almost spiritual purity. They combine richness with precision and power with balance. The 2012 vintage is considered particularly expressive and concentrated, even within her impressive oeuvre.

The Les Narbantons vineyard

Les Narbantons is a Premier Cru vineyard in Savigny-lès-Beaune, on the south side of the village, on the way to Beaune. The soil consists of limestone and clay, with excellent drainage. This produces wines with a firm structure, pure fruit intensity, and fine mineral tension.

While some Savignys wines are light and floral, Les Narbantons reveals itself to be deeper and more complex. In the hands of Lalou Bize-Leroy, this vineyard comes alive in a wine that is both powerful and precise, with a clear link between earth and glass.

The 2012 vintage: intense and lively

The 2012 vintage was difficult but memorable in Burgundy. Frost, hail, and rain resulted in extremely low yields, averaging just nine hectoliters per hectare. This resulted in concentrated wines of unprecedented intensity. Lalou began harvesting on September 17th, slightly earlier than her neighbors, to preserve freshness. Consequently, the wines exhibit a combination of ripe fruit and lively acidity, creating tension and length.

Malolactic fermentation was slow due to the high acidity, which added structure and freshness. The aging process lasted only seven months—short for Burgundy—allowing the wine to retain its natural energy.

Vinification and style

The wine was produced entirely biodynamically. Fermentation was done with whole bunches and without additives. Maturation took place in new French oak, but the oak influence is subtle and fully integrated. Lalou does not use fining or filtration; the wine is bottled as is, pure and vibrant.

This way of working gives Leroy's wines their characteristic texture: a silky structure with an almost tangible tension.

Tasting note 2012 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Narbantons 1er Cru

Neal Martin of The Wine Advocate described the wine as "broody yet powerful," with aromas of blackberries, damp earth, and undergrowth. The nose is dark, deep, and slowly unfolding. On the palate, the wine is exceptionally pure, with fine, grainy tannins and a vibrant acidity that is palpable from start to finish. The overall texture remains taut and linear, yet possesses an inner energy that reveals this is a wine for the long haul.

Martin calls the wine "entrancing" and "a superb Savigny for long-term aging." It's a wine that doesn't reveal its secrets immediately, but rewards with complexity and depth after a few years of aging.

Vinous' vision

Antonio Galloni of Vinous sees a more structured and powerful style in this 2012 than is usual for Savigny. He describes dark notes of graphite, violets, black cherries, and a hint of tar. The wine finishes with a mineral tension and precision that is almost electric.

Galloni called Domaine Leroy's 2012 vintages "stratospheric": wines of unparalleled concentration and balance. Thanks to the short aging and the use of whole bunches, this wine has a near-perfect balance of power, freshness, and elegance.

Color, smell and taste

The wine displays a deep ruby red color with a purple rim. The aroma is intense and complex: blackcurrant, plum, violets, moist earth, and subtle spices. On the palate, it is lively and precise, with a velvety texture and a mineral core that lends tension. The finish is long, refined, and energetic, with an earthy note typical of this terroir.

Drinking time and storage potential

The wine is just beginning to open up, but it still has plenty of potential. With additional bottle aging, the aromas of truffle, forest floor, and spices will further develop. Each bottle will behave slightly differently, adding to the charm of a natural product of this caliber.

Wine and food pairings

• Partridge with morels and red wine sauce – the earthy notes of the wine enhance the umami of the dish.
• Leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic – the dark fruit and spicy depth complement the meat beautifully.
• Porcini and Parmesan risotto – the creaminess and earthy character create a harmonious effect with the wine.
• Grilled duck breast with blackcurrant compote – the fresh acidity balances the rich flavors of the dish.
• Roast quail with figs and thyme – the spicy and fruity notes complement each other beautifully.
• Ripe Époisses – the distinctive flavour of the cheese contrasts beautifully with the lively structure of the wine.

Would you like to order Domaine Leroy wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway and with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from publications including Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.