Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jasper Morris
From vines planted in 1983 in the central core of Perrières. There is quite powerful fruit, with the full imprint of Perrières, ripe pears with the apples, a significantly greater depth of fruit than the Charmes, well tied in to the acidity, and with fine length. Drink from 2030-2037.
Barrel Sample: 92-95 -
Vinous
The 2021 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru contains much more reduction on the nose but there is real intensity here with mineral-rich citric fruit and just hints of bay leaf and thyme. Stunning delineation. The palate is beautifully balanced with lip-smacking salinity, very intense, almost penetrating in style with a long and quite enthralling finish. Fabulous.
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James Suckling
The serious concentration and mineral structure make this a rich and imposing Meursault Perrieres. There is also plenty of stony character that drives the long finish. Drink or hold.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known to offer a magical balance of smoothness and freshness, Meursault's quality is hard to rival. The village lies in the middle of Côte de Beaune, just south of Volnay. Meursault is said to mean “mouse’s jump” because in the past the plots producing Pinot Noir and those producing Chardonnay were no more than a mouse’s jump from one another. Today the village is almost exclusively Chardonnay. A tiny bit of Pinot Noir is produced here with the best coming from Les Santenots on its northern side near Volnay.
While there are no Grands Crus, Meursault’s numerous acclaimed Premiers Crus can compete with any other top-notch white Burgundy. Some to know are Les Perrières, Les Genevrières, Les Charmes, Le Poruzot, Les Bouchères and Les Gouttes d’Or.
Meursault produces outstanding village level wines as well. In general great Premiers Crus and even village level Meursault (Chardonnay) have enticing aromas of lime peel, tropical fruit, crushed rocks, spice and hazelnut. On the palate there is a wonderful balance of brightness and a seductive length with flavors of white peach, pineapple and citrus.