2022, Maison Benjamin Leroux, BLAGNY, 1er Cru, 'La Pièce sous le Bois'

The 2022 Blagny la Piece Sous Le Bois 1er Cru has a lively nose, black cherries, bilberry fruit, and great tension and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and quite smooth, with red cherries and a pinch of black pepper towards the finish. I prefer the nose to the mouth at the moment, but that might change. 88-90 Neal Martin, Vinous (2023).

Benjamin Leroux is a something of a specialist in red Blagny - one of the few still producing this appellation; his results make us want to taste more. The wine has a silky floral note to the bright black cherry fruit aromas, with a saline minerality underpinning the flavours. On the initial attack, the wine is approachable and inviting; with a bit of time in the glass, one sees that there is no lack of tannic grip. In all, this is an exquisite result. 93 Charles Curtis MW, Decanter (2023).

Energetic mid purple, with a pure and high-class bouquet, quite tightly wound here, a darker style of raspberry, a good balance between fruit and acidity. A middleweight, attractive pinot. **** 90-93 Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (2023).

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035