2005 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Nuits-Saint-Georges

The estate’s 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges – from a single parcel just below Boudots – displays aromas of black cherry, walnut oil, wood smoke, and dark chocolate, fills the mouth with sweet fruit tinged with fruit skin bitterness, and relatively successfully integrates notes of resin, spice and vanilla from its 50% new oak. The low-toned finish reveals impressive sweet fruit persistence and should reward a few years in the cellar. Between the effects of drought and of localized hail (in May, before it could effect quality) Jean-Nicolas Meo reported one of his smallest-ever harvests. His production, however, is being boosted these days by a range of negociant wines under the label “Meo-Camuzet Frere et Soeur” (marked “F&S” in the listing above). The top wines had been assembled in tank and sulfured in preparation for bottling, and were suffering a bit on account of this. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524. Also a Jean-Marie de Champs Selection (various importers), French fax 011 33 3 80 22 58 25.