2002 Meursault Les Perrieres

Accurately described by Dancer as containing “liquid croissant or donut flavors,” the over-ripe apple-scented 2002 Meursault Perrieres is deeply concentrated, rich, and plush. Medium to full-bodied, it slathers the palate with loads of buttery, toasty pears, hazelnuts, and candied apples whose flavors remain throughout its exceptional length. Terroir purists will miss the gravel and mineral flavors they crave in young Perrieres, and this gem may not have 20 years of life ahead of it, yet those who are devoted to pleasures of the flesh will adore it. Projected maturity: Now-2011. According to Vincent Dancer, he and his fellow vignerons “were terrified in early September that nothing would ripen, we were saved by two weeks of magnificent weather composed of strong winds from the North.” He added that “the sun wasn’t really powerful, the days were cool, but the grapes were concentrated and ripened over a two week period.” A big fan of the 2002s, Dancer said “what I love is their stuffing and lengthy finishes.” He is a bright young grower with a huge future ahead of him; Burgundy enthusiasts need to remember this name! Importer: A Roy Cloud Selection, Vintage ‘59 Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-9218