2012 Nuits St Georges aux Boudots
By Domaine Leroy
2012 Nuits St Georges aux Boudots from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France
In the pantheon of Burgundy's finest, the luminous jewels of Domaine Leroy shine with particular brilliance. Take, for instance, the 2012 Nuits St Georges aux Boudots from Domaine Leroy—a vintage that captivates and charms with a stately elegance that is unmistakably Burgundian.
A Vintage of Saturnine Complexity
The year 2012 was far from straightforward in the realm of Vitus vinifera across Côte d'Or; it was a season marred by nature's whims, with hailstorms and fluctuating temperatures leading to reduced yields. Yet, it is precisely these adversities which coaxed the latent greatness in the grapes of Nuits St Georges aux Boudots. Domaine Leroy's dedication to biodynamics allowed their vines to thrive amidst climatic caprices, yielding wines of nuanced depth.
Embarking on A Sensory Odyssey
On the nose, this vintage enthralls with an aromatic plume that soars—from ripe cherries to the earthy whisper of truffles and a delicate thread of spice. On the palate, it unfolds like a rich tapestry, woven from threads of svelte tannins and vibrant acidity. Underlying all is the immaculate fruit core, graced with an understated power reminiscent of dark forests and autumnal abundance.
Decanting reveals further splendor; secondary notes emerge shyly, suggesting leather and underbrush which accentuate without overwhelming—testament to a harmonious complexity borne from its meticulous cultivation and precise vinification techniques.
An Investment in Liquid Artistry
The 2012 Nuits St Georges aux Boudots from Domaine Leroy stands as a glorious investment proposition; both a beacon for connoisseurs seeking wines that articulate the essence of their terroir and a keystone for those building portfolios with endurance in mind.
It nestles at an exquisite juncture—poised between youthful vigour and the mellow wisdom that time imparts—as it begins its graceful promenade into maturity—a journey that promises even deeper layers and subtler hues for those patient investors who value endurance alongside exuberance.
In concluding, whether approached as an aficionado eager to savor exceptional vintages or as a prudent investor attuned to the unique allure of top-tier Burgundy, this 2012 Domaine Leroy offering is indeed a treasure. It crowns wine cellars with gravitas and whispers tales of its origin—stories etched within each sip of this noble Nuits St Georges aux Boudots.
Market price (USD)
N/A
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
N/A
Scores and tasting notes
The 2012 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots needed a little more coaxing than les Vignerondes, but unfurls to reveal dried petals scents suffusing the red and black fruit profile. The palate is cut from the same cloth as les Vignerondes, but displays a little more matiere and even more precision towards the piercing finish, decorated with hints of wild mushroom towards the long and tender aftertaste. Gorgeous. Lalou Bize-Leroy’s domaine wines are not the easiest to procure, but given that in 2012 the average rendement was a paltry 9hl/ha then I am envisaging a few lively “discussions” on the touchy subject of allocations. Lalou, suffering the sniffles when I visited but as energetic as always, was ecstatic about her 2012s, regaling them for their mineralite and terroir expression. She started picking on 17 September, a little earlier than others, and told me that the malo-lactics were a little tardier than usual because of the fresh acidity levels. Certainly some of the samples demonstrated a lot of reduction, more than Lalou was care to admit, but peering through them, there really were some quite astonishing wines in her midst. I speculate that the better Lalou’s wines, the more excited her two dogs behave during the tasting, and our two hour degustation was interspersed by manic tail wagging, the occasion tussle and one growling stand-off at the precise moment I had her magisterial Musigny in my glass. The journey through the grand crus was exhilarating, each suffused with untrammeled energy and tension, more expressive of their terroirs than the 2011s that I tasted back in July. There is a part of me that wants to by cynical given the stratospheric prices demanded, as if to say to Lalou: “Prove it.” And that’s the thing – they go ahead and prove that these are some of the finest Pinot Noirs produced on Earth. Readers should not that Lalou invited me to taste her 2012s either from barrel or later in bottle, whichever I prefer but not both due to miniscule quantities that are often just a single barrel, a position I completely respect and support. I would have chose the latter if I was being selfish, but the former to offer some guidance and some juxtaposition with other vignerons. Also, I did not taste the wines from Domaine d’Auvenay simply because the quantities are so depleted in 2012. Importer: Martine’s Wines. Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-040 and through Justerini & Brooks (UK)
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 December 2013