2019 Vincent Girardin 'Les Perrières' 1er Cru Meursault

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "Aromas of orange oil, peach, pastry cream, freshly baked bread and hazelnuts—framed by a deft touch of youthful reduction—preface the 2019 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières, a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated wine that's deep, rich and dramatic, with lively acids and a long, penetrating finish. This, too, has turned out brilliantly. As I wrote last year, reputations, once formed, are hard to shake; and one of my recurring professional challenges is to attempt to change them. Times passes, personnel move on and approaches evolve, but stereotypes persist. So, all I can do is repeat that the wines produced under the Vincent Girardin label today are superb and that I'm happy to have some in my own cellar. Readers will remember the history: Vincent Girardin debuted as a winemaker in 1982, creating his négociant maison in 1990 with his family domaine holdings at its core, and he is distinguished by insisting on purchasing grapes as opposed to must or finished wines. When Girardin's expanding holdings became too much to handle, Eric Germain—brother of Jean-François Germain, who presides over Meursault reference-point Domaine Henri Germain—was brought in to supervise winemaking in 2002."


Decanter - "There are three parcels: two in Perrières Dessous - including one in the Clos des Perrières (planted in the 1960s) - and another quarter-hectare in Perrières Dessus, next to Coche-Dury, planted in 1975. This is marvelously good; a wine of great richness, balanced by a firm, lemony acidity. The fruit on the palate is spicy, concentrated and very long. Drinking Window 2021 - 2024."


Vinous - "The 2019 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru comes from two parcels, one close to Coche-Dury. One plot was planted in 1975 in Les Perrières-Dessus and the other is of similar age with a lot of degenerated vines that are very low-yielding. This has an intense bouquet of yellow plum, citrus lemon, lime and crushed stone, nicely focused, although the Genevrières has a bit more charm. The palate is medium-bodied with a well-defined entry, tropical tones of pineapple and passion fruit leading toward a generous finish that might not deliver the stone-cold mineralité of its finest exponents, but has a pleasant sharpness and spiciness. It should age well over the next 20 years. (92-94pts)"


Burghound - "This is aromatically all but mute and other than hints of mineral reduction and citrus wisps, there is little that is perceptible. In keeping with the nose, the medium weight flavors are compact, backward and very, very tightly wound before culminating in an almost painful finish that is balanced, chiseled and impressively long. I would advise not even thinking of opening a bottle before at least 5 years have passed. *Burghound Sweet Spot Outstanding! (92-94pts)"