Méo-Camuzet : Vosne-Romanee 1er cru "Aux Brûlées" Domaine 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Aux Brûlées" 2021 from Domaine Méo-Camuzet

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance reveals a deep ruby red hue, enhanced by subtle garnet reflections.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable intensity, unfolding aromas of dark wild berries, spices, orange zest and gunpowder. Notes of leather and forest floor complete this complex bouquet, characteristic of the finest expressions of Vosne-Romanée. A floral and tobacco dimension enriches the ensemble, evoking the smoky minerality that justifies the "brûlées" name of this renowned climat.

Palate

On the palate, this wine displays a medium to full body, offering concentration and richness through an enveloping structure. Layers of fruit are woven around powdery, silky tannins, providing elegant architecture without any harshness. Balance and finesse are expressed with remarkable precision, while the lingering finish reveals spicy accents. The whole bears witness to an exquisite harmony between concentration and natural charm.

Food and wine pairings

This premier cru pairs beautifully with roasted poultry accompanied by wild mushrooms, duck breast with a cherry reduction, or Bresse guinea fowl prepared with herbs and light cream. Refined meats such as beef tournedos with reduced jus, veal fillet with mushrooms or sweetbreads with cream and truffle also make excellent pairings. Preparations featuring noble mushrooms, such as porcini risotto or scrambled eggs with truffles, enhance the earthy characteristics of the wine. For cheeses, opt for creamy varieties such as brillat-savarin or a moderately aged époisses.

Serving and storage

The Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Aux Brûlées" 2021 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 59 and 63°F. This wine has a cellaring potential of at least ten years from the vintage, while also offering immediate pleasure thanks to its natural freshness and aromatic complexity. Collectors with optimal storage conditions will discover a gradual evolution of aromatic sophistication and textural integration over a much longer period.

A premier cru from Vosne-Romanée combining finesse and aromatic complexity

The estate

Founded in 1983 with its first commercial releases in 1985, Domaine Méo-Camuzet ranks among the most prestigious producers in Burgundy. Located in Vosne-Romanée in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, the estate has been led since 1989 by Jean-Nicolas Méo, who took the reins of this family property at the age of twenty-five. The estate's history dates back to Étienne Camuzet, a member of parliament for the Côte-d'Or and a key architect of French legislation on appellations of origin in 1919. Today, Jean-Nicolas Méo continues a winemaking philosophy inherited notably from Henri Jayer, a legendary figure who profoundly shaped the estate's approach to vinification. The estate currently farms approximately twenty-two hectares across prestigious appellations of the Côte de Nuits and, since 2025, the Côte de Beaune.

The vineyard

The Aux Brûlées climat occupies a privileged position at the edge of the slope, directly below the grand cru Richebourg, benefiting from optimal southern exposure. The soils are characterized by their shallow depth, with plowing frequently revealing significant stony formations and sometimes exposed bedrock. These conditions concentrate the vine's vigor and force the roots to plunge deep into the ground. The original plantings date primarily from the 1930s, composed mainly of small millerandé berries offering exceptional aromatic intensity. The name "Aux Brûlées" evokes either the brushwood that once occupied the combe, or the sensation of heat generated by the intense sun exposure on the higher-altitude parcels. The terroir of Vosne-Romanée rests on limestone substrates interspersed with clay-limestone marls, spread over depths ranging from a few dozen centimeters to approximately one meter.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly challenging, with successive difficulties including frost in April, hail in June, as well as significant pressure from downy mildew and rot. Despite these adversities, conscientious winemakers produced wines remarkable for their freshness and elegance. The 2021 vintage echoes the characteristics of wines crafted four decades earlier, with moderate alcohol levels and measured concentrations. The wines stand out for their classic character, natural finesse, delicate floral aromas accompanying intense fruit expression, fine tannic structure and mineral acidity providing vivacity and complexity. These wines offer immediate pleasure while retaining substantial aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Aux Brûlées" 2021 favors an approach respectful of the fruit and terroir. Manual harvesting is carried out in small crates of fifteen to twenty kilograms to preserve the integrity of the grapes. Transport is performed using gentle methods with specialized platforms. The grapes undergo systematic sorting before complete destemming. Fermentation takes place under strict temperature control, allowing extended macerations without developing bitterness. Punching down is performed only during the final phase of fermentation. Aging takes place over approximately seventeen months in French oak barrels from the Bertranges and Tronçais forests, with a proportion of new wood calibrated according to the character of the vintage. Malolactic fermentation occurs during this period. Bottling is carried out by gravity, without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir