2007 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
By Domaine Leroy
2007 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France
In the pantheon of Burgundy's vinous legends, the 2007 vintage of Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy occupies a distinguished position. Jaw-dropping concentration and richness are hallmarks of this heralded wine, emanating from one of the most illustrious estates in the region.
A Vintage of Distinction
Within the labyrinth of Burgundy's vintages, 2007 is often unfairly overshadowed. Yet, it harbours discrete charms that demand a connoisseur’s attention—Domaine Leroy's rendition of this vintage is imperative proof. The peculiar climatic conditions of that year—a generally cool summer with a warm finish to the season—have translated into an unanticipated depth and complexity in the wines.
The 2007 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru captivates with its surprisingly robust structure and remarkable poise, a testament to the meticulous viticulture practices at Domaine Leroy. The breath-taking radiance of fruit is tempered by earthy undertones, weaving black cherries and seasoned woodlands into a luxuriant fabric of Burgundian mastery.
An Exemplary Heirloom Investment
As with many esteemed bottles from Domaine Leroy, the 2007 is an asset that enriches any fine wine investor’s portfolio. It resonates with an appreciation potential akin to acquiring a piece of art; anchored not only in its pedigree but also in its sublime expression of terroir and vintage characteristics.
The 2007 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru presents nuances that aficionados seek: restraint paired with flourish, longevity laced with vitality. This vintage from Leroy divorces itself from more tempered or flamboyant years, offering an intricate balance that asserts its individuality and warrants profound consideration from collectors and investors alike.
In closing, this Domaine Leroy jewel is an illustrative reminder that 2007 is a year not to be underestimated—in fact, with its singular expression and evolving complexity, it may well surprise us as it ages gracefully in years to come. It stands as one of the intriguing vestiges of Burgundy's climatic tapestry, now woven into each bottle of 2007 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru.
Market price (HKD)
HK$541,990.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
3543.75
Scores and tasting notes
Kirsch, rose hip, and soy intensely scent the Leroy 2007 Clos De La Roche, which reveals brightness and finesse as well as a saline savor unusual for its appellation. To be sure, notes of leather and crushed stone as well as smoked and roasted meats contribute further and perhaps more site-typical complexity. But it’s the sheer finesse, buoyancy, and vibratory energy on display that most amaze, leaving your tongue and gums a quiver and your salivary glands pumping helplessly. There is also a faint hint of heat, but its effect is negligible given what’s going on around you when you swallow (or, in my case, spit). Look for 20 or more years of excitement. The results Lalou Bize-Leroy achieved in 2006 – as I wrote in my previous red Burgundy report – were especially notable considering the misgivings she expressed early on about that vintage. She appeared more enthusiastic early on about 2007, but in this instance it’s far from merely notable – frankly, it’s utterly improbable – the richness and complexity that the Leroy team has achieved, especially considering that harvesting began here already on August 27! This collection is quite distinctive even from the very few others of its vintage that come even remotely close in quality. These 2007s display a sense of effortless effusiveness, primary juiciness, and – I don’t know how to put this less nebulously – elegance and in the best instances transparency, contrasting with the impressions of tumescent ripeness, coagulation, and new wood veneer that in some vintages accompany the profound richness of Leroy reds. As usual, the wines were all bottled in December, which at least in this vintage seems less difficult to reconcile with their exceptional quality than it does in vintages like 2005 or 2008, when so many of the other top practitioners of red Burgundy emphasize the need for longer elevage. Extremely low yields are of course also a common denominator among Bize-Leroy’s collections, although in the challenging 2007 vintage, she had somewhat more company than usual among fellow-vignerons in the roughly 20 hectoliter-per-hectare range. (And that was bounteous compared with the 13 hectoliters per hectare Bize-Leroy reports having managed in 2008, a vintage from which she did not want to show her bottled wines until June of this year, so that I shall publish notes on them in my follow-up to the present report.) Importer: Martine’s Wines. Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2010