Benjamin Leroux Meursault Les Narvaux 2022

Narvaux is another of Meursault’s highest vineyards, sitting above 1er Cru Les Genevrières. This comes from 0.10 hectares planted in 1975 at the top of the vineyard—Les Narvaux Dessus—a parcel in the Clos de Narvaux, right next to Dominique Lafon’s vines. The soils are very shallow and have plenty of limestone and iron oxide, giving the clay a reddish tinge. Although it’s high, it also faces south. Along with the low yields, this allows for excellent ripeness. Leroux calls it ‘a dream vineyard’. This site has been beautifully managed for a generation, with all the work done without a tractor by a vigneron who sadly passed away this year aged 85. Ben told us he had been working right up until his final hours. The back label pays tribute with the words: ‘Les Vignes de Jean’. There is around 5% Chardonnay Muscaté in the vineyard. A riper, more textural example of the year.

“In bottle, because this year it tasted ready earlier. Two barrels. Pale in colour, quite floral, with some riper aromatics, ripe pear notes, almost musky. Plenty of body, a little saline at the finish, delicious, intriguing wine.” 91 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy