Albert Grivault Meursault Perrieres 1er Cru 2022 (750ML)

95 DE / 17.5 JR

The best part of Meursault Perrieres is the “Clos des Perrieres” owned entirely by Domaine Grivault. They also own the largest overall portion of Meursault Perrieres – 2.54 hectares total. Albert Grivault’s grandson, Michel Bardet, and Michel’s daughter Claire manage the domaine today. After Albert passed, the wines were predominantly sold to negociants through métayage (lease) arrangements until Michel resumed domaine bottling in the 1970s and 1980s. A client from those métayage days, Lalou Bize-Leroy, continues to buy Perrieres from Grivault. The Grivault wines are regular medal winners and frequently earn the coveted “Tasteviné” designation from the Chevaliers du Tastevin. In a major tasting organized by the French wine magazine Bourgogne Aujourd'hui, a diverse panel of tasters ranked Clos des Perrieres as the finest 1er cru vineyard of all white Burgundies. Michel continues to lobby for the Clos des Perrieres to be reclassified as a Grand Cru. The family did extensive soil analysis to prove that the Clos is significantly different from the rest of the vineyard. The south-southwest exposition is the same as Montrachet and the walls reflect sunlight creating a warmer mesoclimate within the Clos.

Grivault's 1.55 hectares of Perrières comes from two parcels next to their monopole Clos des Perrières; there is perhaps just a touch more richness in the wines from the Clos, but this is done in a similar style, which in 2022 produced ripe notes of apricot, apple and quince, with notes of heady white flowers and a bit of reduction. The texture is slightly less dense, but the balance and equilibrium are on par. The winemaking is identical: whole cluster pressed, fermentation in primarily used casks, no sulfur until after malo, and no batonnage — the formula produced a marvellous result.—Charles Curtis MW, Decanter

 Cask sample. Has the density and weight of the Clus du Murger lieu-dit but adds several extra layers of drive, intensity and laser-like acidity on the palate. Very impressive premier cru which delivers exactly what Meursault lovers would look for. Finishes with a stony, mineral line.--Andy Howard MW, Decanter