Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée Les Genaivrières 2009 0,75L

Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée Les Genaivrières 2009

The Estate

Domaine Leroy represents the apex of Burgundian winemaking, founded by the legendary Lalou Bize-Leroy, whose name alone commands reverence among collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. With vineyard holdings among the most precious in Burgundy—exclusively Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels—the domaine has cultivated a reputation for producing wines of unparalleled depth, precision, and longevity.

The estate’s philosophy centers on biodynamic viticulture practiced with almost spiritual devotion: minuscule yields (often below 20 hl/ha), old vines, and meticulous parcel selection ensure that only the most concentrated, expressive fruit enters the cellar. Minimal intervention winemaking and extended aging in French oak allow each terroir to speak with crystalline clarity. Domaine Leroy wines are not merely beverages—they are living expressions of Burgundy’s greatest climats, bottled poetry that evolves majestically over decades.

Les Genaivrières: Vosne-Romanée’s Hidden Treasure

Les Genaivrières occupies a privileged position on the mid-slope of Vosne-Romanée’s celebrated hillside, situated strategically between the village and the Premier Cru zone. This exceptional lieu-dit benefits from limestone-rich soils nearly identical to adjacent Premier Cru sites, combined with ideal southeastern exposure that ensures optimal ripening and extraordinary aromatic development.

What distinguishes Les Genaivrières is its remarkable ability to produce wines of Premier Cru depth and complexity despite its village-level classification. The vineyard’s geology—red clay over limestone bedrock with excellent drainage—creates Pinot Noir of extraordinary concentration balanced by vibrant mineral tension and refined elegance. The site captures the essence of great Vosne-Romanée: power and depth wrapped in silk.

Domaine Leroy’s parcels in Les Genaivrières benefit from decades of biodynamic farming that have restored the soil’s natural vitality and microbial diversity. Old vines, minuscule yields (15-18 hl/ha), and obsessive selection ensure that only the finest fruit expresses this terroir’s noble character. The result is a village wine that consistently outperforms most producers’ Premier Cru bottlings—a testament to both terroir potential and Lalou’s uncompromising standards.

The 2009 Vintage

The 2009 vintage in Burgundy stands as one of the finest of the 21st century. An exceptionally warm, dry growing season produced small berries with thick skins—ideal for concentration and phenolic ripeness. Perfect harvest conditions allowed growers to pick at optimal maturity, resulting in wines of extraordinary richness balanced by surprising freshness and aging potential.

For Pinot Noir across the Côte d’Or, 2009 delivered wines of exceptional opulence and depth. Critics universally praised the vintage for producing wines with rich fruit, supple tannins, and remarkable aromatic complexity. The finest examples balance the vintage’s natural generosity with structural integrity and vibrant acidity—wines of both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring potential.

Antonio Galloni (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) awarded this wine an exceptional 95+ points, noting: ‘The 2009 Vosne-Romanée Aux Genaivrières opens with delicate spice notes, then explodes on the mid-palate with waves of flavor. Sweet crushed rose petal notes develop in the glass, weaving through the eternal finish. This is a gorgeous, fleshy wine graced with exquisite class. I especially like the way the Genaivrières fleshes out on the finish. Frankly, it’s hard to move on to the next wine after this.’

Tasting Experience

• At 15+ years of age, the wine ‘opens with delicate spice notes’ before revealing extraordinary aromatic complexity: layers of crushed rose petal, wild raspberry, and dark cherry mingle with exotic spices, truffle, and subtle notes of forest floor and aged leather. The bouquet is both opulent and refined, showing the beautiful evolution that defines mature Burgundy.
• On the palate, the wine ‘explodes on the mid-palate with waves of flavor’—a stunning expression of concentration and depth. The texture is ‘gorgeous, fleshy’ yet ‘graced with exquisite class,’ demonstrating the paradoxical qualities of great Pinot Noir. Flavors of preserved red fruits, kirsch, and wild berries are framed by supple, fully integrated tannins.
• Mid-palate complexity unfolds in remarkable layers: ‘sweet crushed rose petal notes’ weave through savory nuances of cured meat, wild mushroom, and earthy minerals. The wine’s evolution has brought tertiary complexity while retaining vibrant energy—the hallmark of biodynamic viticulture and exceptional terroir. Perfectly integrated oak adds subtle spice and texture without dominating.
• The finish is described as ‘eternal’—extending with remarkable length and persistence. The way ‘the Genaivrières fleshes out on the finish’ reveals the site’s Premier Cru-level depth, leaving impressions of rose petal, dark fruit, fine minerals, and exotic spice. The wine is so compelling that ‘it’s hard to move on to the next wine after this.’
• This bottling captures the 2009 vintage at its finest: rich, fleshy fruit balanced by exquisite class and structural integrity. At 15+ years of age, the wine has entered its prime drinking window, offering profound pleasure now while suggesting another 10-15 years of graceful evolution for patient collectors.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-18°C in large Burgundy stems to showcase the wine’s delicate spice notes and fleshy texture. Decant 45-60 minutes before service to awaken the wine and allow the ‘eternal finish’ to fully emerge. At this age, gentle handling is essential to preserve the wine’s elegance. Allow to evolve in the glass over 2-3 hours as it continues revealing new dimensions.

Exceptional pairings:

• Duck preparations: seared duck breast with rose petal gastrique, confit de canard
• Game birds: roasted squab with wild berry reduction, pheasant with truffle jus
• Premium beef: dry-aged côte de boeuf with bone marrow, beef Wellington
• Wild mushroom cuisine: porcini-crusted venison loin, truffle risotto with aged Parmesan
• Aged Burgundian cheeses: Époisses de Bourgogne, mature Comté aged 36+ months, Langres

Cellaring & Evolution

At 15+ years from vintage, this wine has entered its optimal drinking window, showcasing the beautiful evolution of mature Burgundy. Domaine Leroy’s village wines regularly develop for 25-35 years thanks to exceptional concentration and biodynamic viticulture. The 2009 vintage’s excellent structure ensures continued graceful aging.

Those opening bottles now will experience the wine at peak maturity—’sweet crushed rose petal notes’ and tertiary complexity fully developed while retaining vibrant energy. Patient collectors may continue cellaring for another 10-15 years, though the wine has likely reached its plateau of perfection. The ‘eternal finish’ and waves of mid-palate flavor suggest the wine will hold beautifully.

Store horizontally in a dark, vibration-free environment at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. At this age, examine bottles carefully for fill level (high shoulder or better) and cork condition. Provenance is essential given the wine’s age and collectibility.

Collector’s Note: This 2009 Les Genaivrières represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fully mature Domaine Leroy wine from one of Burgundy’s finest vintages. At 95+ points, this ‘village’ wine delivers complexity and pleasure that outperform most producers’ Premier Cru bottlings. Antonio Galloni’s effusive review—’it’s hard to move on to the next wine after this’—confirms its place among the vintage’s elite. With the wine now drinking at peak maturity, collectors can enjoy immediate transcendent pleasure while benefiting from continued aging potential. This is essential drinking for serious Burgundy enthusiasts seeking ‘exquisite class’ and ‘eternal’ finishes.