Visit to Domaine Méo-Camuzet – tasting the 2020s

The 2020s are in many ways special wines, coming from a vintage with potent structure and intensity. Their balance is usually very fine, with the acidity giving lovely equilibrium to the wines’ generous constitution.

This balance is often impeccable, and will help provide serious drinking for many years to come.

To some extent, this is a year of serious wines, although the energy in them is quite impressive if the phenolic ripeness is good. The question is, however, whether the wines will remain open or if they will close down after bottling. In reality, it’s anyone’s guess.

Jean-Nicolas Méo was keenly focused on making accessible wines in 2020, and I think he has succeeded in doing just that; it’s a beautiful vintage with some clear stars.

Tasting the Méo-Camuzet 2020s

Domaine Méo-Camuzet Hautes Côtes de Nuits Clos St. Philibert Blanc 2020

The St. Philibert Blanc is showing the greatness of the white 2020s and is, in my view, the strongest white Hautes Côtes de Nuits yet from Méo. It’s pure and lively, with a strong mineral and acidic backbone. It will need some time to unfold, but the tension and energy are unique.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (88p) – Tasted 16/11/2021 –

—

Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeur Bourgogne Côte d’Or 2020

The Bourgogne Côte d’Or is lively with fine mid-palate fruit and good length. Enjoyable, although without quite the charm of the 2019.

(Drink from 2025) – Good+ (86-87p) – Tasted 16/11/2021

—

Domaine Méo-Camuzet Marsannay 2020

The Marsannay is lively, with good energy; quite impressive for the vintage, as the ’20 Marsannays can be a bit heavy. Not in this case; moderate extraction was a good decision in 2020, and is the alpha and omega for wines like these.

(Drink from 2025) – Good+ (87-88p) – Tasted 16/11/2021

—

Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeur Fixin 2020

The Fixin seems to be somewhat on the denser, darker side. This is a constant risk with the 2020 vintage, as well as with the Fixin appellation.

(Drink from 2027) – Good (86-87p) – Tasted 16/11/2021

---

Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeur Chambolle-Musigny 2020

The Chambolle-Musigny displays fine structure and acidity, although not huge complexity. One senses that this is perhaps not the most phenolically ripe of the Méo line-up, but it is showing a nice Chambolle scent. I always fall for this.

(Drink from 2030) – Very Good+ (88p) – Tasted 16/11/2021 –

—

Domaine Méo-Camuzet Nuits-Saint-Georges 2020

The Nuits-Saint-Georges has lovely depth and ripeness, good energy, and a fine balance between structure and extraction. Well done not extracting this too heavily, as the NSGs easily get a dark, almost inky, side if they are pushed too far extraction-wise.

(Drink from 2030) – Very Good (88-89p) – Tasted 16/11/2021

—

Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 2020

The Vosne-Romanée is shining beautifully, with excellent energy and depth. The Aux Barreaux fruit gives this a lovely mineral note, while Les Communes provides substantial intensity. As always, a good cuvee; give it ten years+ and it will unfold completely.

(Drink from 2032) – Very Good (90-91p) – Tasted 16/11/2021 –

---

Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeur Fixin Clos du Chapitre 2020

This is fresh and vivid, with none of the dark, extracted fruit one can easily find in the Fixin appellation in 2020. I love the energy in this cuvee, and it is a pleasant surprise. This is one of the best Clos du Chapitre I have ever tasted. Please note that this is the top vineyard of Fixin, and sports a very long, highly placed historical acclaim.

(Drink from 2035) – Fine++ (92-93p) – Tasted 16/11/2021 –

---

Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeur Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras 2020

This is an interesting wine from the 1er cru part of Les Cras. It’s energetic and lively, with a lovely array of red and darker fruits – a quite sexy Chambolle. With delightful depth (although the mid-palate is a bit restrained currently), this deserves a hand.

(Drink from 2032) – Fine (91-92p) – Tasted 16/11/2021 –

---

Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeur Chambolle-Musigny Feusselottes 2020

One of my usual favourites amongst the negociant wines, the Chambolle Feusselottes is as always a feast, with its rich, intense fruit. While I adore this, it struggles to match the uncanny charm of the 2019. Feusselottes rarely closes down, and always seems to deliver – worth remembering.

(Drink from 2032) – Fine+ (93p) – Tasted 16/11/2021 –

---

You need to login as a Premium subscriber to read the rest of this article. If you are not a Premium Subscriber, use the subscribe function and sign-up. 

---