2005 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
By Domaine Leroy
2005 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France
The 2005 vintage in Burgundy was greeted with widespread enthusiasm, and rightfully so when one considers the remarkable wines it produced. In particular, the 2005 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy stands as a paragon of viticultural finesse—a treasure for any discerning fine wine investor. With decades spent chronicling the nuances of Burgundy's offerings, this vintage is etched deeply in my sensory memory.
A Vintage Distilled into Elegance
Burgundy's storied mosaic of climates and terroirs found a harmonious expression in 2005, a year that conferred upon its grapes the boon of optimal ripening conditions. The fruit from Clos de la Roche vineyard, meticulously tended by the artisans at Domaine Leroy, benefited immensely. The resultant wine is a symphony of complex aromas and flavours that whisk away any remnants of disbelief regarding this vineyard's grand cru status.
Craftsmanship Shaping Liquid History
Upon opening, investors and enthusiasts alike are met with an olfactory tapestry woven from threads of ripe cherries, blackberries and a subtle underpinning of earthy undertones. These give way to a palate where power meets grace; muscular tannins are seamlessly integrated with a vibrant acidity that promises longevity beyond expectations. The famed minerality of Burgundy surfaces here with delicate poise, rounding off a profile that is as intricate as it is enduring.
Investment Merits: Substance Over Sensation
While one often waxes lyrical about the inherent qualities of fine wine, conserving a coterie of phrases exclusively for wines like the 2005 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is both justifiable and necessary. Beyond its immediate charm lies an evergreen potential—Domaine Leroy's craftsmanship ensures that this bottle will remain a centrepiece in any sophisticated portfolio for years to come.
Exhibiting a confluence of perfect climatic conditions and unparalleled viniculture artistry, the 2005 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy stands as one of the more compelling stories from Burgundy—its narrative rich for both the gourmand and investment-savvy individual. In solitude or served among company that appreciates its depth, this wine is an odyssey spanning across both taste and time. With each glass poured, echoes of this extraordinary vintage resonate—an investment not merely in wine but in moments that will accrume to create an opulent tapestry defined by taste and provenance.
Market price (HKD)
HK$1,440,880.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
9421.25
Scores and tasting notes
The parcel that informs a 2005 Clos de la Roche touches Leroy’s Combottes. This wine smells of resin, tobacco, incense, roasted meats, wood smoke, wet stones, alongside stewed cherries and rhubarb. Roasted and stewy richness characterize the intimate meld of meat and fruit on the palate as well. For sheer density this is incredibly impressive, but it’s not at all lacking in the kinetic department, either. What is lacking is the perfume or pure clarity of fruit that the best of this collection display. Almost frighteningly gripping in the back (or on the way down, should you dare to swallow!) with an implosive display of meatiness and stony minerality, this will surely need years to reveal its full potential. Importer: Martine’s Wines. Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2007