Domaine René Leclerc is a notable and respected domaine of Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy. The holdings of the domaine consist of 10 hectares of vineyards - 9.5 hectares of which belong to Domaine René Leclerc itself and 0.5 hectares which belong to Domaine François Leclerc owned by Domaine René Leclerc.

Current winemaker is François Leclerc. His wines are super-rich, powerful and dense, with an impressive structure.

Top wines of Domaine René Leclerc are Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Combe aux Moines and Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques. The Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 scored 93, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Combe aux Moines 1997 scored 91-92, and Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques 1997 scored 89-92 by the Wine Advocate.

Robert Parker’s tasting notes on the Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011: “Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Griotte-Chambertin 2011 from Rene Leclerc was definitely the surprise package of the flight. It is much more harmonious and focused on the nose, with pure raspberry, blueberry, wild heather and mineral scents. This is a true Griottes. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, fleshy tannins that are neatly intertwined with the red fruit. This Griottes-Chambertin has very good backbone, plus a sense of control and sensuality. One of the surprises of this blind flight of grand crus - chapeau!”

Since, 2010 Domaine René Leclerc has been run by François Leclerc. In addition, François Lecler manages Domaine François Leclerc.

The roots of the domaine go back to 1897 when Louis Joseph Leclerc, grandfather of René Leclerc, acquired several plots of vines in Gevrey-Chambertin village. Later, his son - Roger Leclerc, made a significant input in the domaine's development by purchasing some jewels of the Burgundy terroirs - some plots in the Combes aux Moines and Champeaux vineyards.

Domaine René Leclerc was founded in 1962 by René Leclerc and his wife Aleth Bernollin. They decided to start their own domaine by merging Domaine Roger Leclerc and Domaine René Bernollin.

In 1984, an accidental case brought Domaine René Leclerc international recognition. When President François Mitterrand visited Ronald Regan, on the official meal, bottles of Les Combes aux Moines made by René Leclerc were served.

In 2010 René Leclerc retired and the domaine was taken over by his son, François Leclerc, and his two daughters, Anne Leclerc and Hélène Leclerc.

Quite a large amount of Domaine René Leclerc grapes are sold to négociants and even more than before, as François Leclerc aims to limit the volumes in the cellar. He says: "I don't want so much work to do that I don't enjoy the job anymore. Life is for living."

François Leclerc mastered the art of winemaking in the Oregon region of the West Coast of the United States.

François Leclerc prefers the mix of new and old winemaking techniques.

In the winery, the grapes are destemmed, given a cool pre-maceration for one week and then punched down twice per day. Afterwards, the grapes are pressed under the ancient press dating from 1951 and fermented. During the fermentation process, no artificial elements are applied.

Before maturation, the wines are settled in the tank for two months, and in December, they are transferred to the barrel cellar.

The wines are bottled without fining or filtration.