2011 Meursault Goutte d'Or

The 2011 Meursault 1er Cru Goutte d’Or is perhaps Francois’ finest of the vintage. It is taciturn at first, but with aeration reveals attractive scents of cold stone, white peach and a trace of white chocolate. The palate is very well-balanced with good fruit concentration, a fine line of acidity and a lovely touch of orange zest and peach on the mellow but delineated finish. Very fine. Drink 2014-2024. It was a pleasure to return to one of my favorite Meursault growers, Francois Mikulski, a conscientious winemaker. His wines offer both broad commercial appeal and the complexity to satisfy aficionados. If I am being honest, I do not think Francois’ 2011s quite hit all the buttons, and occasionally displayed too much herbaceous character. However, they are keenly priced and from my own experience can mature deceptively well, though I think I would enjoy these wines in the flush of youth. Francois told me that he replaced his Gamay with Chardonnay, therefore 2012 will be the last vintage of the Bourgogne Passetoutgrain. Since 2008, Francois has made three barrels of Meix Chavaux, which is orientated east/northeast. No known American importer.