Méo-Camuzet, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Burgundy, France, 2021

Overview of the Wine
One of the more recognizable and respected labels in Burgundy, Meo-Camuzet was long in the practice of leasing most of their vineyards every year. In 1985, Jean-Nicolas Meo took the helm of the family estate and as the long-term leases came to an end, decided to vinify his own wines, calling upon the help of one Henri Jayer. Jean-Nicolas still directs the winemaking, following Jayer's principles to this day with an impressive array of vineyards, including six Grand Crus.

What is now a 14-hectare estate in Vosne-Romanee was for decades in the hands of share-croppers, or vignerons who leased the prized plots from the Camuzet family. So it was that Henri Jayer had access to such phenomenal plots for decades as the sources of his legendary wines. Jayer would be called upon in 1985 to guide the hand of the new generation, Jean-Nicolas Meo, and his teachings are being handed down to the newest generation who study under their father now.

With consistency in the vineyard - the same vineyard manager, Christian Faurois for 45 years until his retirement in 2018 - and the cellar, the Meo-Camuzet wines have come to be known for both their finesse and their intensity; rarely can the two so seamlessly be achieved, but the combination lends itself to phenomenal, long-lasting wines. It does help to have an ample supply of Grand Crus - six, between the Cote de Nuits and Corton - and Premier Crus - 10 in total! - from which to craft their wines.

In the cellar, after a careful sorting, the grapes are largely de-stemmed and allowed to macerate on their skins for 3-5 days, allowing fermentations to begin naturally. The vinification will carry out for about 3 weeks with some temperature control, and the only punch-downs will occur at the very end. The portion of new (François Freres) oak will depend on the vineyard and vintage, up to 100% for the Grand Crus, though sometimes for the village wines there is no new oak. Bottling is done via gravity flow without filtering.

Jean-Nicolas expanded his family's business to include a negociant label called Meo-Camuzet Freres et Soeurs, where the winemaking and vineyard is the same, though not from the family's own plots.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Morey Saint Denis, Burgundy, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Indulge in the legendary terroir of Clos de Vougeot with this exceptional Grand Cru from Domaine Méo-Camuzet. The 2021 vintage is a masterpiece of Pinot Noir, offering a complex tapestry of red berries, violets, and spice, with a velvety texture and a long, ethereal finish.

96 Points - Tim Atkin
With 3 hectares, Méo-Camuzet is the second largest proprietor in this Grand Cru after Château de la Tour. There's a good chunk near the château as well as a smaller part in Le Grand Maupertui. The 80% new oak stands out now, both with toasted spice lift and lightly grainy tannins. Granted, there's no rush; at the domaine, they don't start drinking this until eight years post-vintage. In time, the robust and concentrated black fruit core will easily absorb the wood. 2028-45.

93-95 Points - Jasper Morris
A medium crimson purple in colour. The bouquet is attractive rather than massive. Lovely cherry fruit right through the middle then a firmer finish as the natural tannins of the Clos kick in. Proper length here as well. Drink from 2030-2038.

92-95 Points - Burghound
Note: from a huge 3 ha parcel superbly placed high on the slope, across from the Château that is mostly in the lieu-dit of Chioures with a small parcel in Grand Maupertui. A restrained if really pretty nose somewhat grudgingly offers up its combination of cool earth, red berries and herbal tea hints. The medium weight flavors are not particularly dense, but they do possess both a really lovely texture as well as fine precision that carries over to the saline, youthfully austere and superbly long finish. Moreover, there is already first-rate depth and overall, this beauty is very promising.

Product size: 750ml