2006 Chambolle Les Fremieres
By Domaine Leroy
2006 Chambolle Les Fremières from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France
In the mosaic of Burgundian terroir, a jewel often whispered about among connoisseurs is the 2006 Chambolle Les Fremières from Domaine Leroy. The year 2006 was marked by its unique climatic challenges in Burgundy; a cool and tempered summer followed by an Indian summer that brought with it grace and complexity to the precious grapes nurtured in this esteemed domaine.
A Study in Elegance and Investment Potential
Lalou Bize-Leroy, at Domaine Leroy, is renowned for her unwavering commitment to biodynamic viticulture and a craft that teases out the quintessence of Pinot Noir. In the 2006 vintage, one finds a masterful expression of Chambolle's soul. The Fremières lieu-dit, hugging the ground of grand cru Musigny, imparts a seductive finesse to the wine that investors and aficionados alike vie to possess for their cellars.
Precise Artistry Amidst Nature's Hurdles
The unpredictable turn of weather patterns in 2006 stands as a testament to the resilience and meticulous cultivation at Domaine Leroy. The resulting wine carries an enigmatic bouquet; earthy undertones marry with red fruits and a whisper of violet, while time has sewn a silky complexity into its structure.
The palate seduces with refined tannins and an exuberant acidity which promised longevity but has now mellowed to reveal beguiling layers of flavour that resonate with the astute investor looking for wines that unfurl over time. The 2006 Chambolle Les Fremières is no mere ephemeral pleasure; it's structured to evolve, making it an alluring prospect for investment portfolios.
In summary, the 2006 vintage from Domaine Leroy expresses itself through its Chambolle Les Fremières with poised elegance and an evocative depth. It stands as a paragon of what can be achieved in a challenging year, presenting an investment opportunity that harbours both exquisite taste and potential financial return. For the discerning collector, adding this particular vintage to one's personal collection could prove as rewarding to the palate as it is to the portfolio.
Market price (GBP)
£50,900.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
3915.38
Scores and tasting notes
Subtle smokiness, hints of roasting meats, faded flowers, and ripe red berries grace the nose of Leroy's 2006 Chambolle-Musigny Les Fremiers, which then turns the vintage-characteristic palate trick of being tender yet invigorating, intensely-flavored but buoyant. This is truly like liquid silk, yet refreshing at the same time; intensely fruited (seemingly supported by a couple of grams of residual sugar) yet with plenty of Chambolle-typical carnality and minerality. Those few wine lovers able to afford and acquire it ought not to delay in enjoying at least a portion of their treasure. 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