2020 Benjamin Leroux Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

The Benjamin Leroux estate in Beaune

Benjamin Leroux is one of Burgundy's most modern and respected winemakers. After years of winemaking at Comte Armand in Pommard, he launched his own project in Beaune. Since then, he has built an impressive portfolio that includes villages, premiers crus, and grands crus. His name is synonymous with precision, terroir-focused work, and exceptional attention to detail.

The estate works with dozens of plots spread throughout the Côte d'Or. In total, its range includes more than fifty cuvées annually. Winemaking is done through a combination of classic Burgundian methods and modern insights. Leroux experiments with whole bunches, works carefully with temperature control, and opts for minimal intervention to preserve the pure expression of the terroir. His style is characterized by nuance, finesse, and a clear focus on structure and energy.

The terroir of Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Charmes-Chambertin is one of the most famous Grand Crus of the Côte de Nuits. Located in Gevrey-Chambertin, the vineyard is known for its deep, rich wines, combining fruit intensity, structure, and refinement. The soil, primarily calcareous clay, with stones and fine sediments, produces powerful yet elegant Pinot Noir. The terroir produces wines with ripe red fruit, mineral tension, and a broad flavor palette that develops beautifully with bottle aging.

The location, slightly lower on the slope, produces wines that are accessible but have sufficient concentration and structure for long aging.

The Pinot Noir grape in the 2020 vintage

Pinot Noir achieves a level of elegance and power unique in Burgundy in Charmes-Chambertin. The grape benefits from the mineral soil structure and the relatively sheltered location of the plot. Ripeness was high in 2020, but thanks to millerandage (small, intensely aromatic berries), the harvest had a high skin-to-juice ratio. This resulted in deep color, concentrated aromas, and a structure that gives the wine a strong backbone.

In such years, Benjamin Leroux prefers to work with a higher percentage of whole bunch grapes to maintain freshness and tension. The combination of ripe Pinot Noir and gentle maceration results in a wine that is very precise, aromatically complex, and remarkably clear in style.

Harvest and vinification of the 2020

The harvest began early, on August 20th, well ahead of schedule. The weather conditions, with no rain in sight, made an early harvest necessary. Leroux wanted to preserve optimal freshness and decided to harvest almost its entire range within a week. Thanks to the warm season, the clusters had small berries with concentrated flavors.

The estate used the cold room to cool the grapes to below thirteen degrees Celsius before vinification began. This allowed for a controlled and slow fermentation, which promotes finesse and aromatic clarity. The maceration was deliberately kept very gentle to avoid extracting too much tannin from the intensely colored berries. For the red wines, Leroux primarily uses natural cork, while the white wines are generally bottled under Diam.

The 2020 Charmes-Chambertin was aged in oak barrels with a carefully selected percentage of new wood. The wine shows good structure early on, but according to Leroux, it needs several years of bottle aging to fully blossom.

Color, aroma and taste of Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2020

In the glass, the wine has a deep ruby red color with a dark sheen. The aroma is precise and layered. Black cherry predominates, complemented by blackberry, wild herbs, light briar notes, and subtle Earl Grey. The mineral note of crushed stone gives the nose a refined tension.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a remarkably tight structure for such a warm vintage. The reductive note in youth is normal and disappears with bottle aging. The wine displays depth, refined tannins, and a creamy texture on the finish. The balance of ripe fruit, minerality, and freshness gives the wine a clear Grand Cru character. It is a wine that rewards patience and will fully unfold after a few years of aging.

Would you like to order Benjamin Leroux 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 these 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 with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

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Wine and food pairings

• Wild boar rack with rosemary. The spiciness and texture complement the wine's depth beautifully.
• Duck breast with fig and red wine sauce. The combination of sweet and savory enhances the fruity and spicy notes.
• Mushroom risotto with Parmesan. The earthy flavors bring out the mineral tension of the Pinot Noir.
• Grilled tenderloin with gently roasted vegetables. The tenderness of the meat complements its elegant texture.
• Pinot Noir coq au vin. The smooth sauce and aromatic layers create a perfect harmony with the wine.