Domaine Meo-Camuzet is one of the most prestigious estates in Burgundy. Located in the heart of Vosne Romanée, Domaine Meo Camuzet is blessed with some of the finest and most sacred vineyards of Cote d’Or. Not only do Meo-Camuzet owns some of the finest vineyards, they also had the legendary winemaker Henri Jayer work for them as a winemaker for a few years and as consultant for a few more years.
Domaine Meo Camuzet was founded in 1902 by Étienne Camuzet, a member of the French parliament in Paris representing Cote d’Or. Étienne Camuzet acquired some of the finest vineyards in Burgundy but rented the vineyards out to various vignerons (métayage – sharecropping agreement). It was Jean Meo who decided to take back some of the vineyards in 1985 and began bottling under their own label. Jean Meo asked his son Jean-Nicolas Meo to take over the estate in 1984, during that time Jean-Nicolas was in Paris Business School (ESCP). Jean-Nicolas agreed to give it a try, so after completing his studies in 1989, he returned to Burgundy and took over the estate. By 1988, Meo-Camuzet regained more vineyards that was contracted out to Henri Jayer, who decided to retire that year.
Wine Style
Meo Camuzet wines in the late 80s are said to have a lot of Henri Jayer influence, though the Jayer style was said to have faded completely by the mid-90s. The wines at Meo Camuzet are structured, concentrated, rich on oak spices with great charm and refinement. Meo Camuzet wines generally needs a lot of ageing before approachable.
Domaine Vineyard Portfolio
Richebourg Grand Cru 0.34 ha, Echezeaux Grand Cru 0.44 ha, Clos Vougeot 3 ha, Corton Les Perrieres Grand Cru 0.6 ha, Corton Clos Rognet Grand Cru 0.45 ha, Corton La Vigne au Saint Grand Cru 0.19 ha, Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Cros Parantoux 0.3 ha, Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brulees, Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes 2 ha, Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots 1 ha, Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers, Nuits Saint Georges 0.6 ha, Vosne Romanée 1.4 ha, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes du Nuits Clos Saint Philibert Monopole 3.5 ha.
Tasting Notes
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc Clos Saint Philibert Monopole 2016
The Clos Saint Philibert Monopole is a single vineyard above the Echezeaux vineyard. This 3.5 ha vineyard is at a high altitude of 400, hence Jean-Nicolas Meo’s decision to plant Chardonnay and less than 10% of Pinot Blanc in the early 90s. The 2016 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc offers a fresh and creamy aroma of clean grapefruit, green apple, mild yeast and lactic acid. Uncomplicated with a nice body and a nice acidity backbone. A wine made to be consumed within the a few years after release. (86/100)
Saint Romain Blanc 2016 (négociant)
Even though this is one of the negociant wine of Meo Camuzet, the Meo Camuzet team picked the Chardonnay grapes from Saint Romain, grapes are crushed then fermented in barrel. Good richness and leesy flavours. Slightly bigger bodied than the Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc, good acidity, body and fruit profile. Drinking nicely already. (86/100)
Bourgogne Rouge 2016 (négociant)
The Meo Camuzet Bourgogne Rouge is a blend of vineyards from around Cote de Nuits, including Nuits Saint Georges, Vosne Romanee, but mostly from Flagey-Echezeaux region. Good richness and concentration for a Bourgogne, clean dark fruits, cherry, subtle earth. 2% new oak. An uncomplicated Bourgogne rouge that can be enjoyed relatively soon. (84/100)
Marsannay 2016 (négociant)
From 60 year old vines. Good richness of cherry and berries. Similar quality to the Bourgogne Rouge. (83-84/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 2016 (négociant)
The Gevrey Chambertin is a slight step up in terms of concentration. A nice fragrant of exotic spices, direct cherry fruit and Gevrey earth. Hints of mulberry with ripe tannins and fresh acidity. Should be drinkable (85/100)
Fixin 1er Cru Clos du Chapitre 2016 (négociant)
The Fixin Clos du Chapitre comes from 50 year old vines. Showing some youthful austerity behind the dark cherry and subtle minerals. Darker shade of fruit than the Gevrey Chambertin, richer with subtle oak toast. Higher acidity, straightforward but nicely balanced. (85+/100)
Vosne Romanee 2016
This Vosne Romanee village comes from their own vineyards, Aux Communes (next to D974 road) and Les Barreaux (right above Cros Parantoux). Around 30 barrels of this Vosne Romanee village produced in 2016. Exotic spices and dark fruits of Vosne Romanee, good lift of floral tones and dark berry fruit. Good concentration and depth for a village wine with a round palate. Nice balanced finish. (86-87/100)
Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots 2016
50% of the vines at Aux Boudots were planted in 1950s and 50% planted in 1960s. The Boudots offers a dark and brooding aroma, concentrated and ripe dark berries, less spicy than the Vosne Romanee but with a subtle candied floral scent. Expressive and powerful. 15% stems used. This should need 10-12 years of ageing before drinking. (87-88/100)
Corton Clos Rognet Grand Cru 2016
The Corton Clos Rognet is technically located in the Ladoix-Serrigny region. Meo Camuzet owns a 0.45 ha parcel within Clos Rognet, the vines were planted in 1927, they are the oldest vines of Meo Camuzet. A refined nose of juicy red cherries, black currant, exotic spices. Upfront style with austere grip, it may not be the most in-depth Corton, but for sure one expressive and concentrated Corton. (90-91/100)
Echezeaux Les Rouges du Bas Grand Cru 2016
Les Rouges du Bas is a lieu-dit at the highest point of the Echezeaux, it yields sleek wines with fine acidity. Les Rouges du Bas is generally considered not the finest lieu-dits in Echezeaux, however Meo Camuzet’s winemaking style definitely makes up for the ‘lesser’ plot. The nose shows a great detail of Vosne spices, sweet dark fruits and hints of cassis. Great lift of flavours beautifully laced. Smoked game and gravel. 80% new oak with 15% stems. Exuberant fruits, supple tannins with fine depth. Great expression of Echezeaux. (93-95/100)
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Cros Parantoux 2016
Cros Parantoux is one of the most mythical vineyards in Burgundy. Located at the corner of Richebourg, Cros Parantoux is one of the most sought-after wines in the world. Meo Camuzet owns 0.3 ha of Cros Parantoux. The 2016 Cros Parantoux shows an incredibly deep and intense fragrance of dark fruits, violet, vibrant minerals and rich cherries. There are similarities between Cros Parantoux and Richebourg, but Cros Parantoux is more elegant and sexy. Brilliantly sexy and alluring aromas with superb finesse. Great extraction and energy. Meo Camuzet makes a richer style of Cros Parantoux than Henri Jayer/Rouget. 100% new oak with 15% stems. Rich with sleekness and power. (96+/100)
Richebourg Grand Cru 2016
Meo Camuzet owns 0.34 ha of Richebourg from Henri Jayer inheritance. The 2016 Richebourg is full of raw power. Dark cassis fruit, oriental spices, pencil lead, iodine. Incredibly explosive and muscular. A wine that needs at least two decades of cellaring before approachable. Full bodied, bold tannins with refreshing acidity. 100% destemmed with 100% new oak. Astonishingly long finish with impactful flavours that resonates on the palate. Extraordinary. (97/100)
Bonus Bottles
Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2015
Meo Camuzet owns one of the finest plots in Clos Vougeot, a total of 3 ha vineyard mostly right next to Mugneret Gibourg‘s parcel, below Chateau du Clos du Vougeot. Lifted floral aromas with juicy red fruits, mixed berries and Indian spices. Great concentration and intensity, Very pretty and not over-ripe, well-judged acidity. A sublime Clos Vougeot from Meo Camuzet. (94/100)
Nicolas Jay Pinot Noir 2015
Nicolas Jay is a new winery project in Oregon ran by Jean-Nicolas (from Meo Camuzet), and his good friend Jay from the US. This is the entry-level wine of Nicolas Jay, and the weight is comparable to a village wine in Burgundy. Well-made expressive aroma of strawberries, raspberry, clean wood toast, clove and subtle spices. Uncomplicated yet satisfying. (85-86/100)