Domaine Latour-Giraud's 2.4 hectares of Meursault Genevrieres make them that famed vineyard's largest proprietor. Jean-Pierre Latour, in the 1996 vintage, decided to bottle two separate cuvees of Genevrieres, his traditional one, and a luxury bottling. The 50 cases of the luxury cuvee, the Meursault Genevrieres Cuvee Des Pierres, were produced from a parcel of vines that abut the Meursault Perrieres vineyard and were aged in 100% new oak barrels. Aromatically, this cuvee displays more minerals and on the palate it is richer, denser, and appears more extracted. This deeply ripe, full-bodied, velvety-textured, and opulent wine is packed with ripe pears, oak spices, stones, and honeysuckle. Projected maturity: 2000-2006. The score, noted on a range and in parentheses, indicates that the wine was tasted from barrel.
Readers need to search out these offerings as they offer superb values for outstanding white Burgundies. Congratulations to Jean-Pierre Latour for the great strides his wines have made in such a short time!
A Patrick Lesec Selection, French Fax 011-33-1-44-70-62-93, various importers, and in Massachusetts: Classic Wine Imports, Boston, MA; tel (617) 731-6644.