2017 Leroy Nuits-Saint-Georges

Domaine Leroy is one of the most talked-about wine estates in Burgundy. Not because of large production volumes, but because of its uncompromising philosophy, limited production, and outstanding reputation among wine enthusiasts.

Domaine Leroy: A Legendary Wine Estate in Burgundy

Domaine Leroy was founded in 1988 by Lalou Bize-Leroy. However, the family's history goes back much further. Maison Leroy was established in 1868 as a wine merchant and grew into one of Burgundy's most respected négociants. Lalou did not start from scratch. Instead, she built on generations of knowledge and experience while following her own vision.

Lalou Bize-Leroy is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Burgundy. For many years, she was co-owner and co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti before dedicating herself entirely to her own estate. Her philosophy has always been straightforward: exceptional wines begin with meticulous care in the vineyard.

The Difference Between Maison Leroy and Domaine Leroy

These two names are often confused, but they represent different parts of the Leroy story.

Maison Leroy is a négociant. It purchases grapes, grape must, or wine from carefully selected growers throughout Burgundy. The wines are then matured and bottled under the Maison Leroy label, resulting in a broad portfolio of Burgundian wines.

Domaine Leroy, on the other hand, works exclusively with grapes from its own vineyards. This gives the estate complete control over every stage of production, from vineyard management to bottling. Annual production is very limited, and many wines are released in extremely small quantities.

The Vineyards of Domaine Leroy

Domaine Leroy owns parcels in some of Burgundy's most prestigious appellations, including Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Richebourg, Musigny, Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot and Corton-Charlemagne. The estate also owns Premier Cru and Village vineyards in appellations such as Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

A common misconception is that Domaine Leroy produces wine from the Grand Cru vineyard Romanée-Conti. This is not the case. Romanée-Conti is a monopole owned exclusively by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The confusion likely stems from Lalou Bize-Leroy's long-standing involvement with that iconic estate.

Biodynamic Viticulture and Low Yields

Domaine Leroy is considered one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy. The estate moved away from chemical fertilisers and synthetic pesticides many years ago. Most vineyard work is carried out by hand, with careful attention given to every vine throughout the growing season.

Yields are intentionally kept extremely low. This means each vine produces fewer grapes than is typical. Lower yields do not automatically guarantee better wine, but at Domaine Leroy they are an essential part of achieving concentration, balance and remarkable depth.

The combination of old vines, biodynamic farming and rigorous selection gives each vintage its own personality. This is one of the reasons why collectors and Burgundy enthusiasts enjoy comparing different vintages and vineyard sites.

Why Are Domaine Leroy Wines So Highly Sought After?

A bottle of Domaine Leroy is not something you come across every day. Many cuvées consist of only a few hundred bottles each vintage. As a result, availability is extremely limited while global demand continues to grow. Collectors, fine dining restaurants and wine lovers compete each year for a small allocation.

The wines are also renowned for their exceptional ageing potential. Many vintages continue to develop beautifully for several decades, making older bottles even rarer than new releases.

Another remarkable aspect is Lalou Bize-Leroy's personal involvement in virtually every detail, from vineyard work to the final selection of each wine. This consistent approach has helped establish Domaine Leroy as one of Burgundy's most prestigious producers.

Buying Domaine Leroy Wines

Domaine Leroy wines deserve optimal storage conditions. That is why all our bottles are kept in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, where both temperature and humidity are continuously monitored. This ensures that every bottle remains in excellent condition until it reaches its new owner.

Prefer to collect your order? Customers automatically receive a collection discount. The discount becomes visible as soon as you select 'Collect' during checkout.

Bourgogne is one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, located in eastern France. It is renowned for its exceptional wines, unique vineyards, and a rich history dating back to Roman times. Particularly famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, Bourgogne is a top destination for wine enthusiasts.

Subregions of Bourgogne

Bourgogne is situated in the central-eastern part of France and covers a relatively small area. However, due to its diverse terroirs and microclimates, it has become a hub of wine production. The region is divided into five major subregions, each with its own unique characteristics and wines.

Chablis

Chablis, located in the northernmost part of Bourgogne, is known for its pure and crisp Chardonnay wines. The unique Kimmeridgian limestone soils in this area give the wines a distinctive mineral character. Top appellations such as Chablis Grand Cru and Premier Cru, with vineyards like Les Clos and Vaillons, produce wines of exceptional quality, known for their lively acidity and minerality.

Côte de Nuits

The Côte de Nuits is renowned for its outstanding Pinot Noirs. Located in the northern part of the Côte d'Or, this area offers perfect conditions for producing some of the most sought-after red wines in the world. Prestigious appellations like Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée produce complex, elegant, and refined wines that age beautifully.

Côte de Beaune

The Côte de Beaune is known for both its red and white wines, but the region particularly excels in producing some of the world's best Chardonnays. Appellations such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet produce rich, oak-aged white wines of exceptional quality. Pinot Noir also plays an important role here, with iconic red wines from Volnay and Pommard.

Côte Chalonnaise

The Côte Chalonnaise offers an excellent balance between quality and affordability. This area, located south of the Côte de Beaune, produces both high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Appellations like Mercurey and Givry are known for their expressive yet affordable wines.

Mâconnais

The Mâconnais, located in the southern part of Bourgogne, produces some of the region's most accessible Chardonnay wines. Wines from appellations like Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran are riper and fruitier, thanks to the warmer climate in this area.

Terroir of Bourgogne

The terroir of Bourgogne is unique and plays a crucial role in the exceptional quality of its wines. The diverse soils, including limestone, clay, and gravel, give the wines their distinctive flavor profiles. The orientation of the vineyards and the continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers, contribute to the slow ripening of the grapes, resulting in complex and aromatic wines. Bourgogne's strict appellation system ensures the unique expression of each terroir is preserved.

Grape Varieties in Bourgogne

Bourgogne is best known for two grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but the region also cultivates other varieties that have their own place in the Bourgogne wine world.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the king of red grape varieties in Bourgogne. The wines made from this grape are known for their finesse, elegance, and complex aromas of red berries, earth, and spices. Pinot Noir wines from the Côte de Nuits, such as Romanée-Conti and Gevrey-Chambertin, are among the most sought-after in the world.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the most prominent white grape variety in Bourgogne. Its versatility allows it to produce a wide range of wines, from the mineral, crisp wines of Chablis to the rich, oak-aged Chardonnays of the Côte de Beaune. These wines often exhibit flavors of green apple, citrus, and sometimes a buttery note.

Aligoté

Although less known, Aligoté plays an important role in Bourgogne. This white grape variety produces light, fresh wines with high acidity. The Bouzeron appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise is known for the best Aligoté wines, which are ideal for early consumption and often show refreshing flavors of citrus and herbs.

Order Bourgogne Wines Online

For wine lovers looking to discover the unique flavors of Bourgogne, there are numerous opportunities to order Bourgogne wines online. Whether you're seeking a refined Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits or a crisp Chardonnay from Chablis, ordering online offers the convenience of having the best wines from this prestigious region delivered straight to your door.

France is globally renowned for its exceptional wines, each originating from a unique region with distinct flavors and styles.

France as one of the largest and oldest wine-producing countries in the world

France is not only one of the oldest but also one of the largest wine-producing countries in the world. The moderately warm climate, which is favorable for grape cultivation, and the diversity of wine soils provide ideal conditions for viticulture. Thanks to the abundance of oak trees for barrel production and its central location in Europe, the French wine trade flourished early on, contributing to the quality and variety of French wines.

The soil diversity in France makes it possible to produce a wide range of wines. Due to its northern location, between the 43rd and 49th parallel, grapes take longer to ripen, which promotes complex aromas and retains good acidity. The extensive experience of French winemakers has led to an optimal alignment of wine and region.

Wine regions in France: from Bordeaux to the Loire Valley

France is home to some of the world’s most famous wine regions, such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley. Each region has its unique climate, soil, and grape varieties that influence the flavor of the wine. Bordeaux is known for its powerful red wines made from grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Burgundy offers refined wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the Loire Valley, stretching along France’s longest river, produces white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.

Other wine areas such as Champagne, Alsace, Provence, Beaujolais, and Languedoc-Roussillon are globally renowned, producing a variety of wines, from sparkling to fruity and rosé wines, beloved by both local and international enthusiasts.

French viticulture: tradition, regulation, and innovation

Wine production in France dates back over 2000 years. Thanks to continuous attention to research, education, and regulation, France has developed one of the most comprehensive wine laws in the world. These laws, such as the AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) and IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée), set rules to preserve the authenticity of wines from specific regions.

These rules specify, among other things, which grape varieties may be planted, pruning methods, yields per hectare, and even wine style. Wines that meet these conditions can carry the AOP or IGP designation, which guarantees the quality and regional authenticity of French wine.

Grape varieties in French wine: from Chardonnay to Merlot

France is home to renowned grape varieties that are appreciated worldwide. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are just a few examples of grapes that thrive on French soil.

Chardonnay is particularly popular in Burgundy, where it adapts to both cool and warm climates. Pinot Noir, another classic from Burgundy, is known for its delicate flavor and red fruit aromas. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon form the backbone of Bordeaux wines, each with their distinctive aromas and flavor profiles.

Climates of French wine regions: impact on flavor and quality

The variation in climate within France plays an important role in the diversity of French wine. The temperate climate in Bordeaux, the cool climate in Champagne, and the warm, dry climate in Provence each contribute to the unique characteristics of the wines.

In Champagne, the cool climate produces sparkling wines with refined bubbles and high acidity. Provence benefits from its warmth, which aids in the production of refreshing rosé wines. The Rhône Valley’s warm summers result in robust red wines from grapes such as Syrah and Grenache.

The scale of French wine production

France has about 785,000 hectares of vineyards, producing approximately 45 million hectoliters of wine annually. Of this vineyard area, roughly half is AOP wine, which stands for guaranteed origin and quality.

If you have a French wine from before 2011, you may see the term Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), which was the predecessor to AOP. Besides AOP, IGP is also a common label, indicating wine with a protected geographic origin, signaling the wine's region of origin.

Why choose French wine?

France has established itself as a wine country through its unique combination of diverse terroirs, grape varieties, and climates. The knowledge and experience passed down through generations of French winemakers have led to the creation of wines that are hard to match in flavor and quality.

Whether you choose a powerful Bordeaux, a refined Burgundy, or a refreshing Champagne, France offers a wide selection of high-quality wines. At Grandcruwijnen, you’ll find French wines for every taste and occasion.

Want to order French wine online?

Do you want to enjoy a quality wine from France? At Grandcruwijnen, you can easily order your favorite French wine. Our extensive selection includes everything from Bordeaux wines like Petrus, Mouton, and Lafite to top rosé houses like Miraval, Minuty, and Ott, as well as the best Hermitage wines from the Rhône. All our wines are stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse. Moreover, you receive a discount when you pick up your order. The discount is immediately visible once you select 'Pickup' on the checkout page.

About the Pinot Noir grape in brief

Pinot Noir (French), also known as Spätburgunder (German), is a blue grape variety with compact clusters and thin-skinned grapes. This makes it generally a difficult grape to cultivate, as it is sensitive to rot and fungal diseases.

In Italy, Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero or Blauburgunder) is also grown, producing beautiful wines. In Germany, the grape (Spätburgunder) yields stunning wines; the finest red wines of the country. Additionally, Austria also produces Pinot Noir wines of very high quality. In California, over the years, probably the most Pinot Noir vines in the world are planted. Especially in the foggy, cooler areas around San Francisco, it thrives. The grape is also on the rise in South America, particularly in Chile.

The origin of Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir originates from Burgundy, France. In this cool climate, the delicate characteristics of the grape come into their own. The thin skin and sensitive nature make Pinot Noir a challenge for winemakers, but when everything aligns, it produces wines of exceptional finesse.

What does a Pinot Noir taste like?

When Pinot Noir wines are consumed young, they typically exhibit aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and violets. When you let wines made from Pinot Noir grapes age, the aromas shift towards ripe strawberries and plums. Pinot Noirs often have an 'earthy' quality but are generally fairly light, delicate wines with low tannins. This makes Pinot Noir versatile and suitable for many occasions.

Pairing Pinot Noir with food

The elegant style of Pinot Noir makes it an excellent companion to many dishes. Pair a fresh, young Pinot Noir with grilled salmon, poultry, or vegetarian dishes with mushrooms. More mature Pinot Noirs with earthier tones pair beautifully with game dishes, duck, or even truffle pasta.

Thanks to its fresh acidity and subtle character, Pinot Noir also works well with dishes where other red wines might be too heavy. Do you already have a dish in mind but are unsure which wine to choose? Ask Sommy the Sommelier from Grandcruwijnen!

Pinot Noir from Burgundy

In Burgundy, Pinot Noir is at its absolute best, truly shining. Here, the grape produces wines renowned for their finesse, complexity, and aging potential. From the light, fruity wines of the Côte Chalonnaise to the deeper and more structured Grand Crus of the Côte de Nuits: Burgundy offers a wide array of flavors, always with the characteristic elegance of Pinot Noir.

German Spätburgunder

In Germany, Pinot Noir is known as Spätburgunder. The cooler climate zones such as the Ahr and Baden produce wines with fresh acidity, subtle red fruit, and a mineral undertone. Spätburgunder is often lighter in style but can be surprisingly complex, especially from top producers who use oak aging.

Pinot Noir from Oregon

Oregon, particularly the Willamette Valley, is known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir. The climate resembles that of Burgundy, but the wines tend to be slightly more powerful, with more body and riper fruit. Think of aromas of cherries, berries, and spices, combined with fresh acidity and beautiful structure.

Pinot Noir in Champagne

Pinot Noir is one of the three main grapes in Champagne, alongside Chardonnay and Meunier. In the cool vineyards of the Montagne de Reims and the Aube, Pinot Noir provides structure, body, and red fruit in the blend. Blanc de Noirs Champagnes – made exclusively from black grapes – often show more power and depth, with notes of red fruit, brioche, and minerality. Whether part of a blend or solo in a Blanc de Noirs, Pinot Noir gives Champagne a solid backbone.

Pinot Noir at Grandcruwijnen

At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a wide selection of Pinot Noir wines from renowned wineries in France, Germany, the United States, New Zealand, and more. Whether you're looking for a classic Burgundy, an expressive Spätburgunder, or a modern style from Oregon, you'll always find a Pinot Noir that suits your taste with us.

We carefully select all our wines, paying attention to quality, origin, and the story behind the winery. This way, you know you're buying a wine from us that truly offers something special. Did you know that if you pick up your wine, you also receive a nice discount? You'll see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht with plenty of parking space. Click here for our address.