Méo-Camuzet : Clos Vougeot Grand cru Domaine 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 by Méo-Camuzet

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep red hue enhanced by slightly violet reflections.

Nose

The bouquet reveals aromas of fresh and even stewed blackcurrant, accompanied by subtle white pepper and a gentle hint of thyme. With aeration, the aromatic intensity builds, unveiling more complex notes of ripe red and dark fruits, fine spices, leather, wax and coffee.

Palate

The palate stands out for its roundness and substance, although in its youth it shows a restraint characteristic of great Burgundy wines destined to evolve. The tannins, well-defined and noble, will soften with time. The structure proves ample and powerful, with a remarkable length that exceeds initial expectations. The finish, supported by civilized rather than rustic tannins, reflects an ultra-refined style evoking classicism and nobility.

Food and wine pairings

This Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 pairs magnificently with roasted haunch of venison, truffle-based preparations and aged cheeses. It also elegantly accompanies grilled or roasted red meats, furred game such as young wild boar, feathered game such as partridge or woodcock, as well as roast beef or a lamb leg en croûte. Strong-flavored cheeses such as Époisses, Langres or Soumaintrain make privileged table companions.

Serving and storage

The Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 is ideally served between 16 and 18°C. Decanting prior to tasting is recommended to reveal its full aromatic palette. Although it can be enjoyed in its youth thanks to its natural finesse, a minimum of ten years' cellaring is advised to obtain the full quintessence of the terroir. This wine has an aging potential of 15 years or more, until approximately 2036.

A Clos Vougeot Grand Cru expressing Burgundian elegance

The estate

The Méo-Camuzet estate traces its origins to 1920, when Étienne Camuzet, member of parliament for the Côte-d'Or and an emblematic figure in Burgundy viticulture, acquired the Château du Clos de Vougeot and retained 3 hectares at the foot of the château. In 1959, his niece Maria Noirot-Camuzet bequeathed the estate to Jean Méo. It was in 1989 that Jean-Nicolas Méo took the helm of this family property located in Vosne-Romanée, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy. Trained by the legendary Henri Jayer, Jean-Nicolas Méo perpetuates a philosophy combining tradition and innovation, with viticulture respectful of natural balances and a minimally interventionist winemaking approach. The estate now manages 18 hectares of prestigious vineyards and enjoys worldwide recognition among the most discerning collectors.

The vineyard

The Clos Vougeot parcel of the Méo-Camuzet estate occupies an exceptional position at the top of the appellation, at the foot of the château, spanning nearly three hectares in a single block. This terroir benefits from a shallow structure of approximately 40 centimeters of soil composed of several layers of rock before reaching the bedrock, on a limestone slab. The vines boast a remarkable age composition: roughly one third planted in 1920, another third at mature age from the 1960s, and the remainder planted in the 1970s and 1980s. This generational diversity imparts great depth to the wine, with the roots of the oldest vines reaching very deep into the soil. The grapes ripen very well here and are among the very first to be harvested on the estate.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 is more extractive than average in order to achieve greater length. After complete destemming without crushing, the grapes are cooled. A cold maceration of four to five days fixes the anthocyanins, followed by alcoholic fermentation on indigenous yeasts lasting approximately one week. The total maceration extends over 16 to 18 days with minimal punching down, only at the end of fermentation. Aging takes place in new Tronçais oak barrels with light to medium toast, allowing the depth of the wine to emerge. Malolactic fermentation begins naturally in spring. Total aging lasts 15 to 18 months before gravity bottling, without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir