Méo-Camuzet : Vosne-Romanee 1er cru "Aux Brûlées" Domaine 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Brûlées" 2021 from Domaine Méo-Camuzet

Tasting

Colour

The wine shows a deep ruby-red hue, enhanced by subtle garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose is remarkably intense, unfurling aromas of dark wild berries, spice, orange zest and gunpowder. Notes of leather and forest floor complete this complex bouquet, characteristic of the great expressions of Vosne-Romanée. A floral and tobacco dimension enriches the whole, evoking the smoky minerality that justifies the name "brûlées" of this renowned climat.

Palate

On the palate, this wine has a medium to full body, offering concentration and richness through an enveloping structure. Layers of fruit are woven around powdery, silky tannins, creating an elegant architecture without any aggression. Balance and finesse are expressed with remarkable precision, while the lingering finish reveals spicy accents. The whole is an exquisite harmony of concentration and natural charm.

Food and Wine Pairing

This premier cru pairs magnificently with roast poultry served with wild mushrooms, duck breast with a cherry reduction, or Bresse guinea fowl prepared with herbs and light cream. Refined meats such as a beef tournedos with a reduced jus, a veal fillet with mushrooms or veal sweetbreads with cream and truffle also make excellent matches. Dishes based on noble mushrooms, such as a porcini risotto or truffle scrambled eggs, bring out the wine's earthy character. As for cheeses, opt for creamy varieties such as brillat-savarin or a moderately aged époisses.

Serving and Cellaring

The Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Brûlées" 2021 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 15 and 17°C. This wine has an ageing potential of at least ten years from the vintage, while offering immediate pleasure thanks to its natural freshness and aromatic complexity. Collectors with optimal storage conditions will discover a gradual evolution in aromatic sophistication and textural integration over a much longer period.

A Vosne-Romanée premier cru combining finesse and aromatic complexity

The estate

In Vosne-Romanée, Domaine Méo-Camuzet takes its name from Étienne Camuzet, who acquired vines in Clos de Vougeot in 1920. In 1959, Jean Méo took over the running of the estate and continued its story. The first vintage under the Méo-Camuzet label was produced in 1983. Today, the estate cultivates prestigious climats of the Côte de Nuits, including Richebourg, Échézeaux and Cros Parantoux. Its Pinot Noirs are elegant and profound, and express all the finesse of the Burgundy terroir.

The vineyard

The Aux Brûlées climat occupies a privileged position at the end of the slope, directly below the Richebourg grand cru, benefiting from an optimal southern exposure. The soils are characteristically shallow, with ploughing frequently revealing substantial stony formations and, at times, outcropping bedrock. These conditions concentrate the vine's vigour and force the roots to dig deep. The original plantings date mainly from the 1930s and consist predominantly of small millerandage berries, which yield exceptional aromatic intensity. The name "Aux Brûlées" evokes either the scrub that once covered the combe, or the sensation of heat generated by the intense sun exposure of the plots located at higher altitude. The terroir of Vosne-Romanée rests on limestone substrates interspersed with clay-limestone marls, spread over depths ranging from a few dozen centimetres to about one metre.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly contrasting, with successive challenges including April frosts, June hail, and significant pressure from downy mildew and rot. Despite these adversities, conscientious winegrowers produced wines remarkable for their freshness and elegance. The 2021 vintage recalls the characteristics of wines made four decades ago, with moderate alcohol levels and measured concentration. The wines stand out for their classic character, natural finesse, delicate floral aromas accompanying an intense fruit expression, fine tannic structure and mineral acidity that brings vibrancy and complexity. These wines offer immediate pleasure while retaining substantial ageing potential.

Winemaking and maturation

The winemaking of the Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Brûlées" 2021 favours an approach that respects both the fruit and the terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested into small crates holding fifteen to twenty kilograms to preserve the integrity of the fruit. Transport is carried out using gentle methods with specialised platforms. The grapes undergo systematic sorting before being fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place under strict temperature control, allowing extended macerations without developing bitterness. Punch-downs are carried out only at the end of fermentation. Maturation lasts around seventeen months in French oak barrels from the Bertranges and Tronçais forests, with a proportion of new oak calibrated to the character of the vintage. Malolactic fermentation takes place during this period. Bottling is carried out by gravity, without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir