2006 Vosne les Brulees
By Domaine Leroy
2006 Vosne les Brulees from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France
The 2006 vintages from Burgundy have been heralded for their elegance and grace, and none so powerfully as the 2006 Vosne les Brulees from Domaine Leroy. With an astute understanding of Pinot Noir, Domaine Leroy has bestowed upon us a wine of precision that invariably merits the attention of fine wine investors.
Precision in the Pinnacle of Pinot Noir
In the panorama of Burgundy's offerings, the 2006 vintage stands out as one imbued with a distinctive balance — one that the Vosne les Brulees harnesses exquisitely. It was a year where conscientious vineyard management was paramount to contend with the climatic whimsy, and Domaine Leroy rose phenomenally to the challenge.
Blossoming with Age
Upon decanting the 2006 Vosne les Brulees, one is immediately greeted with a bouquet of ephemeral violets and a whiff of truffle - a signature of its sophisticated terroir. This wine has now reached a stage where the tannic architecture delicately supports rather than dominates, embodying an ornate complexity rooted in maturity.
The palate is an odyssey through succulent red cherries accented by subtle earthiness and spice that linger elegantly on the finish — a testament to Domaine Leroy’s artistry during a year that rewarded the vigilant. This vintage is indeed one that continues to unfurl its layers with each ensuing year in the cellar, suggesting immense potential for further evolution and thus a compelling proposition for collectors and enthusiasts.
In investment terms, this evocative expression of Burgundy from 2006, crafted by the venerable hand of Domaine Leroy, stands as an apex stone in any serious collection. The 2006 Vosne les Brulees, with its poised development and boundless intricacy, offers not just a taste but an experience worth investing in, ensuring its position as one of the most sought-after bottles for discerning palates.
In fine, one would be remiss not to esteem the liquidity afforded by such vinous treasure - as both a drinking pleasure and a potent asset in an investor's portfolio. The 2006 Vosne les Brulees from Domaine Leroy encapsulates an epoch of Burgundian brilliance that will resonate profoundly in the years to come.
Current market price
$91,210.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
4203.08
Scores and tasting notes
Haunting and decadent lily and violet perfume, black truffle, peat, musk and clean raw meat notes rise from the glass of Leroy's "this could only be Vosne" 2006 Vosne-Romanee Aux Brulees. Rich and velvety on the palate, this favors the soothing rather than invigorating or refreshing side of 2006, with a metaphorically dark, decadent complexity that puts me more in mind of Romanee St.-Vivant than it does of Richebourg, very near to which this wine grew. Fine tannins become more evident in the long, low-toned finish than they are on the mid-palate, but I could well imagine this maturing beautifully for 12-15 years without any awkward stretches. 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