Benjamin Leroux Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent-Vignes 2022

Les Cent-Vignes is one of the first vineyards you encounter if you’re heading west out of Beaune. Leroux has been working with a grower here since 2015. Convinced of the quality, he purchased the 0.5-hectare plot in 2021, so this is now a domaine bottling. The Cent-Vignes plot is planted in two parcels on brown grèze litée gravels. There’s a section of 50-year-old vines and a young plot planted in 2016. The old vines bring depth and intensity, while the younger vines contribute freshness. The 2022 is all class: a pulpy, pure, ripe-textured wine with meaty depths and a long, sappy, fresh close.