MÉO-CAMUZET (Vosne-Romanée) -- 2021 Tasted from Bottle

 

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Jean-Nicolas Méo said that overall production in 2021 was down about 30% from normal, but it was very unequal: some vineyards had normal production, others were down 70-80%. The wines were bottled between January and April 2023. Jean-Nicolas indicated that he took the wines out of barrel to en masse a little earlier than usual and tried to bottle without any hint of reduction. He is hoping that these are wines that will not go through a closed period.

The estate follows organic principles except for two sprayings in the spring that are not entirely organic.

Méo said that one difference from the past is that he is now bottling more magnums.

All wines below were tasted from coravined bottles. Those wines not otherwise indicated are Domaine wines; those indicated Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeurs are négociant wines.

As you can see, there were some very great wines produced here.  (Continue reading here.)

Domaine MÉO-CAMUZET (Vosne-Romanée) -- 2018 Tasted from Barrel and Tank Samples

(Please see my overall vintage review here.)

An outstanding set of wines here, notwithstanding the challenging conditions of the vintage.

Jean-Nicolas Méo said that harvesting began on 29 August at Corton and then continued on 1 September for the Clos-de-Vougeot. Yields were generous, some vineyards set records. There was some green harvesting over the summer, too. The wines are between 12.9% and 14% alcohol. Malic acidities were low, and the malo-lactic fermentations accordingly were quick. Almost all wines were from entirely destemmed grapes. 

In spring and early summer, Vosne-Romanée suffered quite a bit of mildew and some oïdium after that. As a result, although the estate has long followed organic practices, in 2018 it was necessary to use some chemical treatments. From 15 July on, there were no more problems in the vineyards.

Jean-Nicolas compares the vintage to 1989 and 1985, two ripe vintages that have lasted well. 

These wines were served from samples that had been bottled and then a Coravin was used for serving, a practice that makes wines more difficult for me to judge. (Continue reading here.)

Domaine MÉO-CAMUZET and MÉO-Camuzet Frère & Soeurs (Vosne-Romanée) -- 2016 Tasted from Tank and Barrel Samples

(Originally published January 2018)

Jean-Nicolas Méo said that for Vosne-Romanée vineyards, the yields were fairly normal; for Clos-de-Vougeot, they were about 70-75% normal; and for the négociant wines, they were about 2/3 of normal, although for Chambolle-Musigny, that figure was only 1/3.

Harvesting generally began on 26 September, although a little was taken in on the 24th. Not much sorting was necessary. No chaptalization was done, and yet alcohols are just a little above those of 2015. Malolactic fermentations finished in March, April, and May, which is rather normal. Jean-Nicolas noted that lab analyses of the pHs show higher that he thought — most are around 3.5, although a few are around 3.7.

Wines marked with an asterisk (*) are négociant wines under the Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeurs label. (Continue reading here.)