Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur - Meursault 1er "Les Charmes" 2022 (750ml)
Price: $209.99
| Producer | Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 205268 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Description
A committed classicist, Vincent Bitouzet has provided us with over thirty-years worth of structured, demanding, age-worthy, satisfying wines, both red and white, from the heart of the Cote de Beaune. Based in Volnay and blessed with extensive holdings in Meursault as well, this domaine is a tried and true standard bearer for all that is fundamentally good and sound in Burgundy: conscientious and sensitive work in the vineyards, respect above all for the specific character of each lieu-dit, patience and attention to detail in the cellar, and a commitment to producing wines of depth and, of critical importance, longevity. To truly understand great white and red burgundy, one must wait for these grand expressions of terroir to mature to reveal their splendor and spectacular nuance.
Vincent Bitouzet's ancestral roots in Burgundy cover at least the last two centuries. His great-great grandfather, M. Gillotte, arrived in Auxey Duresses in 1802 and was mayor of that village. In 1804, the Bitouzet line settled in Volnay. The Bitouzets were one of the first of the family domaines in this region to bottle their wines. Vincent's grandfather had already garnered medals for his winemaking talents in 1860. Vincent's wife, Annie Prieur, has equally distinguished antecedents. Her family (both Prieurs and Perronnets) was long established in Meursault and Ladoix. The resulting "merger" of the Bitouzet and Prieur family holdings has created a domaine of distinction and breadth. Francois Bitouzet, the only son of Vincent and Annie, is now working hand-in-hand with his parents as he maintains the deep Burgundian roots of his ancestors.
The family owns a total of 0.55 hectares in this renowned cru, divided between two plots—one in the upper part of the vineyard (“Dessus”) and one in the lower part (“Dessous”)—vinified separately and then blended together before bottling to create a wine of outstanding complexity, with great finesse and power. The lower section provides a stony minerality and an almost tannic expression; the upper section yields explosive aromatics as well as a round, buttery mouthfeel. Most of Bitouzet’s vines here were planted in 1944, with a portion planted in 1987.
Burghound: 92 Points
More subtle oak influence can be found on the cool, airy and exceptionally pretty aromas of citrus, white flower and Granny Smith apple. Once again there is a beguiling texture to the impressively rich and mineral driven medium-bodied flavors that coat the palate on the youthfully austere, firm and beautifully persistent finale. While this could reasonably be approached after only three to four years, it has an excellent track record for aging and is a wine that should repay up to a decade of keeping.
Vinous: 91-93 Points
The 2022 Meursault Les Charmes ler Cru has a very attractive nose with yellow fruit, peach skin, touches of beeswax and crushed stone. The oak is very nicely integrated. The palate is well-balanced, the 20% new oak well-judged, and the crisp acidity imparts freshness and tension. It delivers the concentration you expect from a Charmes, with the orange peel and tangerine finish lingering nicely in the mouth.
