With its eroded, limestone walls covered in vines and wildflowers, this ancient and picturesque climat has a medieval feel about it. It is situated up high, on the border of Brochon, in the most beautiful part of Gevrey. The soils here are mostly stony, red clays with the parent rock (limestone of course) very close to the surface. Leroux’s vines are 40 years old. This is a site that typically delivers very small berries and intense, aromatic fruit. Fans of Domaine Denis Mortet will be familiar with this vineyard and the Leroux bottling, too, is seriously impressive. From organically tended vines, there is only two barrels made from half whole-bunch and half destemmed fruit. It has superb depth without losing any of that high-grown, forest’s edge wildness, perfume and freshness.
The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux 1er Cru has a fragrant, floral bouquet, rose petals and violets infusing the dark cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with silky-smooth tannin and fine acidity. Quite dense and persistent, leading to a sumptuous finish that reminds me of a 2009. Superb.
91-93 points Neal Martin Vinous.com January 2019
An overtly sauvage-inflected and fresh nose speaks of both dark berries and ample earth-derived elements. The sleeker but denser medium weight flavors possess excellent vibrancy along with plenty of minerality on the focused, muscular and firm finish. This is lovely and notably refreshing.
90-93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound.com Issue 75