Michel Bouzereau Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes Dessus

2021

Burghound 91-93♥: An elegant, even perfumed, nose reflects pure and airy notes of just sliced green apple, acacia, orange peel and the barest suggestion of wood. There is once again excellent intensity, detail and minerality to the utterly delicious flavors that are shaped by lemon-tinged acidity on the chiseled and bone-dry finale. Lovely, understated and age worthy.

2022

Vinous 92-94: The 2022 Meursault Les Charmes-Dessus 1er Cru has a fragrant, more floral bouquet laced with orange zest and touches of apricot. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly creamier texture, ripe citrus fruit and a waxy-textured finish displaying plenty of extract. Excellent.

Decanter 94: Boasting aromas of ripe apple, fresh walnuts and butter, this is a classic Meursault with a broad feel on the palate and plenty of extract, yet there is a marvellous freshness (‘peps’, as the French would say) that drives it to an impressively long finish. The grapes come from a half-hectare in Charmes-Dessus, the best part of this large vineyard. After a slow pressing and light settling, they are fermented on native yeasts in casks with a modest percentage of new wood to maintain the purity of the fruit.

2023

Burghound 91-93♥: A smoky nose is comprised by notes of pear essence, citrus confit and broad-ranging floral elements. I very much like the sophisticated texture of the mineral-driven, if not especially dense, flavors that terminate in an impressively persistent, moderately austere and beautifully chiseled finale.

Vinous 91-93: The 2023 Meursault Les Charmes-Dessus 1er Cru unfurls on the nose with lemon curd, dried flowers and subtle earthy scents, all quite discrete. The palate is taut on the entry, fresh and saline with a silver bead of acidity. Hints of stem ginger and marmalade lend some edginess toward the finish. This may not be a long-term Meursault compared to the Genevrières, but there is class here.