Domaine Leroy   Vosne les Genaivrieres

2006 Vosne les Genaivrieres

By Domaine Leroy

2006 Vosne les Genaivrieres from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France

In the resplendent realm of fine Burgundy, the 2006 Vosne les Genaivrieres from Domaine Leroy stands as a testament to the intricate dance between vineyard and vintner. A climatic year that tested the mettle of Burgundian winemakers ultimately gave birth to a vintage marked by nuance and longevity.

 

A Vintage Carved by Time

The year 2006 was an odyssey in the storied history of Burgundy's vineyards. From a cool and wet spring to a torrid July followed by a temperate August, these trials by Mother Nature sculpted grapes of profound character. The masterful hand of Domaine Leroy translates this narrative into one of the most compelling chapters in their anthology of fine wines.

The 2006 Vosne les Genaivrieres carries the hallmark complexities that sophisticated wine investors seek. It is a chronicle told in meticulous layers; baked cherry nuances intertwined with clove and smoky undertones evidence of a seasoned savoir-faire. A wine like this not only speaks of its celebrated terroir but sings praises of its triumphant harvest year—a vintage where only exceptional viticulture could prevail.

 

From Harvests to Heirlooms

As an emblematic produce of the vaunted Domaine Leroy, the 2006 Vosne les Genaivrieres has ascended beyond mere investment grade—it is an heirloom, embodying both the erratic splendor of its vintage and the estimable prestige of its maker.

One swirl in the glass reveals an autumnal palette of aromas; earthy forest floor against delicate violet top notes, a romantic ode to its vintage specificity. On the palate, soft tannins cradle the rich core fruit, echoing the ripening trails trod more than a decade ago, whilst assuring potential for further grace with age.

In summary, the 2006 Vosne les Genaivrieres from Domaine Leroy is not just an exquisite specimen for investment scrutiny—it demands cerebral contemplation, rewarding those connoisseurs who revere both narrative and terroir. Its elegant structure and depth are a testament to its storied birth year—a narrative sewn into each bottle, ensuring that every sip offers an anthology waiting to be explored.

Current market price

£50,580.00

12x75cl

Highest score

90

POP score

5058

Scores and tasting notes

90

The Leroy 2006 Vosne-Romanee Aux Genaivrieres smells darkly of blackberry, mossy forest floor, roasted meat, and decadent floral perfume. In terms of fruit freshness, though, this is bright, while also displaying a hint of tannic grit. Its lingering finish returns to the dark side, with intriguing intimations of future complexity, though only time, I think, will reveal how this wine's tannins are resolved. The results achieved by Lalou Bize-Leroy in 2006 are all the more notable in view of the misgivings she expressed early on about this vintage. (And, as her reaction to 2004 demonstrates, she will not shy away from declassifying even her entire production if she feels that the wines are not up to their terroir pedigrees.) As voluptuously rich as are Bize-Leroy's 2006 reds, they preserve the sense of buoyancy and elegance common to so many of the standouts of this vintage, and one's gums will not come away fatigued by the strength of underlying tannin or the near-hyper-concentration displayed by her – to be sure awesome – 2005s. As every year, these wines represent meticulous vine manicure; miniscule yields ("above all regulated by severe pruning, not triage," Bize-Leroy emphasizes); and fidelity to biodynamic methods and metaphysics; and were bottled in the second December following the harvest. Despite their winsomeness, they have long life expectancies. Since, however, I have very little experience of their predecessors as they have matured, I have confined my prognostication to a few isolated and very general comments in the tasting notes that follow. Note that I have included as well under the heading "Leroy" the wines of Madame Bize-Leroy's Domaine d'Auvenay – its cellars located outside Saint-Romain – which now encompass two appellations in red, since inevitably when information is being sought about these wines, and even often when they are described, it is under the name "Leroy." Importer: Martine’s Wines. Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-040

David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2009

Vintage performance