Leroux/Benjamin Volnay 1er cru Caillerets 2019

92-95 points Jasper Morris, MW: “Rich medium deep purple with excellent aromatics. 60% whole bunch. Luxurious and very well balanced nose. Builds incrementally on the palate while retaining a fine nuanced detail of little red fruits. Exactly what Caillerets ought to be! (Nov 2020)”

92 points/’Outstanding,’ Allen Meadows (Burghound): “This is more floral still with a wafting nose of violet, rose petal, lavender and acacia blossom that adds elegance to the much spicier nose of mostly ripe red cherry and raspberry. Like the Santenots, this isn’t especially dense, but the texture of the middle weight flavors is super-sleek while oozing with evident minerality on the lacy and refined if moderately austere finale. This is very classy juice that is sufficiently structured to reward extended keeping. Drink: 2031+. (Apr 2021)”

92 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): “Produced with fruit from a parcel of old vines (some over 80 years of age), the fermentation is done with two-thirds whole clusters, with Leroux continuing his trend in 2019 of increasing the use of stems. He comments, ‘it is more a question of infusion than extraction’. Very gentle pumping over was used and the final result is exemplary. It is still a fairly deep colour, with a lovely, plump, dark fruit character and a silky texture, with a spicy element coming in on the long finish. Drinking Window: 2021-2034. (Oct 2020)”