Leroy : Auxey-Duresses Village 2018

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for the Auxey-Duresses 2018 from Domaine Leroy

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a pale golden yellow hue, crystalline and luminous.

Nose

Powerful and commanding, the nose initially reveals a slight reductive note that fades with aeration. The bouquet then opens on citrus aromas accompanied by toasty notes, toasted sesame, and struck match. With aeration, nuances of fresh almond, butter, and vanilla enrich the aromatic palette, showcasing beautiful mineral complexity.

Palate

The attack is smooth and generous, with a rich texture immediately balanced by lively, refreshing acidity that dominates the palate. Oak notes integrate harmoniously with aromas of crisp white-fleshed fruit, with hints of lemon and pear. Spicy nuances of fennel and white pepper add depth, while a fine chalky, stony minerality coats the tongue. The finish is long and generous, punctuated by saline notes reminiscent of a sea breeze.

Food and Wine Pairings

This white wine from Bourgogne pairs beautifully with capon stuffed with foie gras or a lobster bisque. It also matches well with langoustines and fish in a spicy sauce, ratatouille, cooked shellfish, as well as cheeses from the Gruyère family, blue cheeses, or certain goat cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

The Auxey-Duresses 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C (54–57°F). This wine has remarkable aging potential and can be cellared for several decades.

An outstanding white wine from Bourgogne born of the Auxey-Duresses terroir

The Estate

François Leroy, owner of vineyards in Auxey-Duresses and Musigny among others, founded the Leroy négociant house in 1868. His son Joseph and, a few years later, his grandson Henri gradually developed the estate, notably by creating a branch dedicated to producing liqueurs and eaux-de-vie. In 1942, Henri Leroy acquired half of the prestigious terroir of la Romanée-Conti. Following his death, his youngest daughter Lalou Bize-Leroy joined Domaine Leroy in 1955 and became co-manager of the domaine de la Romanée-Conti, alongside Aubert de Villaine, between 1974 and 1992.

The Vineyard

Auxey-Duresses is an appellation located in the Côte de Beaune, about nine kilometers southwest of Beaune, at the entrance to a valley leading toward the Hautes Côtes. The terroir is characterized by limestone soils mixed with stony marl, with primarily south and southeast exposures. On the Mélian hillside, the fine soil composition foreshadows that of Meursault and Puligny, creating particularly favorable conditions for producing white wines. Domaine Leroy owns about 1.25 hectares in the lieu-dit Les Lavières. The continental climate brings hot, dry summers and cool winters, with an early spring that requires heightened vigilance against frost.

The Vintage

The 2018 vintage in Bourgogne ranks among the best of the decade in terms of both quality and quantity. After a cold, rainy winter until mid-March with snow and subzero temperatures, weather conditions became exceptional from April to September. The hot, dry summer lasted through harvest, with exceptional sunshine and very little rainfall. Despite significant downy mildew pressure in spring requiring intensive treatments, summer conditions yielded perfectly ripe grapes in excellent health, offering a very rich aromatic palette and a perfect balance between roundness and freshness.

Winemaking and Aging

The Auxey-Duresses 2018 from Domaine Leroy is made using a minimalist approach that favors the expression of terroir. The harvest is carried out by hand at optimal ripeness. Vinification takes place in vats and barrels, followed by aging in 100% new French oak barrels from the François Frères cooperage. The wine rests on fine lees with regular bâtonnage to develop aromatic complexity. No fining or filtration is performed before bottling, thus preserving the wine’s integrity and authenticity.

Grape Variety

100% chardonnay.