Aged in 100% new oak barrels, the Meursault Perrieres had a tight and muted nose the day of my tasting. However, it offers a fabulously deep and complex array of oak, minerals, grilled nuts and ripe white fruits in its thick-textured, highly-extracted full-bodied personality. At this stage oak flavors dominate the wine's personality, hence the question mark. Projected maturity: 1999-2005. As my scores and tasting notes indicate, I was tremendously impressed with the quality of Prieur's wines. What had been an average-to-good estate has rapidly become one of Burgundy's finest domaines. A final note: I was given the opportunity to taste this estate's 1996s, both in white and red, and was blown away by their quality. More on them in a future report. Imported by William Deutsch and Sons, Armonk, NY; Tel. (914) 273-1221.