Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée Les Genaivrières 2015 0,75L

Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée Les Genaivrières 2015

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 Rising Star

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

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

In Lalou Bize-Leroy’s hands, Les Genaivrières transcends all expectations. Decades of biodynamic farming have restored the soil’s vitality, while old vines and minuscule yields (often 15-18 hl/ha) ensure exceptional fruit concentration. Obsessive selection and minimal intervention allow the terroir to express itself with crystalline purity. The result is a ‘village’ wine that outperforms most producers’ Premier Cru bottlings—a testament to both the site’s potential and Leroy’s uncompromising standards.

The 2015 Vintage

The 2015 vintage in Burgundy stands as one of the decade’s finest achievements. An ideal growing season—warm spring, hot summer moderated by cool nights, and perfect September weather—allowed Pinot Noir to achieve exceptional phenolic ripeness while maintaining vibrant acidity. Harvest conditions were optimal, with growers able to pick at ideal maturity without weather pressure.

For village-level sites, 2015 delivered exceptional quality across Vosne-Romanée. Critics praised the vintage for producing wines of classical proportions: ripe fruit balanced by fresh acidity, supple tannins, and extraordinary aromatic complexity. The wines show both immediate approachability and serious aging potential—a rare combination that defines great vintages.

William Kelley (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) awarded this wine an exceptional 93 points, noting: ‘The 2015 Vosne-Romanée Aux Genaivrières from Domaine Leroy is an extraordinary wine that surpasses many communal and 1er cru bottlings in this vintage, wafting from the glass with a composed bouquet of dark berries, mulberry, grilled game bird and rich soil. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and silky, with a chassis of wonderfully fine-grained tannins, a deep core of vibrant fruit and a long, saline, electrifying finish.’

Tasting Experience

• The wine ‘wafts from the glass’ with a ‘composed bouquet’ of extraordinary complexity: layers of dark berries, mulberry, and black cherry form the core, while savory nuances emerge through grilled game bird, rich soil, truffle, and subtle notes of exotic spice. The aromatic profile is remarkably complete—both opulent and refined, powerful yet elegant.
• On the palate, the wine delivers ‘full-bodied, ample and silky’ texture that defies its village classification. A ‘chassis of wonderfully fine-grained tannins’ provides structure without weight, while a ‘deep core of vibrant fruit’ offers concentrated flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, and wild berries. The texture is extraordinary—simultaneously dense and weightless, powerful yet graceful.
• Mid-palate depth reveals the wine’s Premier Cru-level complexity: savory notes of cured meat, wild mushroom, and forest floor interweave with the vibrant fruit core. Perfectly integrated oak adds subtle spice and texture. The biodynamic viticulture is evident in the wine’s remarkable energy and mineral tension—a living, pulsing expression of this exceptional terroir.
• The finish is ‘long, saline, electrifying’—perhaps the most telling descriptor. Impressions of dark fruit, fine minerals, and sea-spray salinity extend for remarkable length, energized by vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins. This is Vosne-Romanée at its most complete expression, capturing both the village’s legendary elegance and Leroy’s signature intensity.
• This bottling exemplifies why Domaine Leroy occupies a category unto itself. At 93 points, this ‘village’ wine surpasses many producers’ Premier Cru and even Grand Cru bottlings, offering collectors extraordinary quality and aging potential at a more accessible price point within the Leroy portfolio.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-18°C in large Burgundy stems to showcase the wine’s composed bouquet and silky texture. Decant 30-45 minutes before service to allow the deep fruit core and saline minerality to emerge fully. The wine’s fine-grained tannins integrate beautifully with aeration. Allow to evolve in the glass over 2-3 hours as it reveals new dimensions.

Exceptional pairings:

• Grilled game birds: duck breast with mulberry reduction, roasted squab with truffle jus
• Premium beef: dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow butter, beef Wellington
• Wild mushroom preparations: porcini-crusted venison loin, chanterelle risotto
• Aged Burgundian cheeses: Époisses de Bourgogne, mature Comté, Langres
• Truffle dishes: pasta with black truffle, truffle-stuffed quail breast

Cellaring & Evolution

At 9+ years from vintage, this wine is drinking beautifully now while retaining 15-25 years of additional aging potential. Domaine Leroy’s village wines regularly evolve for 25-30 years thanks to exceptional concentration from biodynamic viticulture and minuscule yields. The 2015 vintage’s perfect balance ensures graceful long-term development.

The wine’s ‘wonderfully fine-grained tannins’ and ‘vibrant fruit core’ provide both immediate pleasure and serious structure. Those opening bottles now will experience youthful exuberance at peak expression. Patient collectors can cellar confidently for another 15-20 years, during which the wine will develop greater tertiary complexity while maintaining its electrifying energy.

Store horizontally in a dark, vibration-free environment at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. Despite its village classification, this wine merits Premier Cru-level storage care. Examine fill level and cork condition, though at this age both should be excellent with proper provenance.

Collector’s Note: This Les Genaivrières represents an exceptional opportunity for discerning collectors—a 93-point village wine that ‘surpasses many communal and 1er cru bottlings’ and delivers depth rivaling Premier Cru sites at a more accessible price point. With Domaine Leroy’s production severely limited and prices rising annually, this 2015 from one of Vosne-Romanée’s most exciting lieux-dits offers both immediate transcendent pleasure and exceptional long-term investment potential. The ‘electrifying’ finish and Premier Cru-level complexity make this essential drinking for serious Burgundy enthusiasts.