2012 Meursault Les Perrieres

Floral, broad notes. All the quality and richness is on the palate. Really very impressive. Some chew on the end but still opens out on the end. Not heavy. Just impressively built and muscular but with masses of flesh too. (JR)

The 2012 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrieres, which is being matured in 30% new oak, has a sophisticated bouquet that is initially understated and only gradually unveils flint and granitic scents, followed by Granny Smith apple and white peach. The palate is simply gorgeous: beautifully balanced with pitch perfect acidity. It has ineffable focus and precision, nothing out of place, yet not an extravagant wine in any wine. The finish has a hint of feistiness that might become accentuated after bottling. Superb. Due to the exceptionally late malolactic fermentation, I only tasted around half of Jean-Marc Roulot’s 2012s. It was the usual travails that discombobulated the vineyards in 2012: poor flowering, rain in the early half of the season and pressure of mildew. The hailstorm on June 30 affected Jean-Marc’s parcels in the north of Meursault village, the second in August more those in the south. I will return next year to make a full account of his 2012s, but here are the five that were in a representative condition to taste. Importer: Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524.

The 2012 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrieres, which is being matured in 30% new oak, has a sophisticated bouquet that is initially understated and only gradually unveils flint and granitic scents, followed by Granny Smith apple and white peach. The palate is simply gorgeous: beautifully balanced with pitch perfect acidity. It has ineffable focus and precision, nothing out of place, yet not an extravagant wine in any wine. The finish has a hint of feistiness that might become accentuated after bottling. Superb. Dec 2013, www.robertparker.com