1998 - Richebourg Grand Cru, Meo Camuzet

Interestingly, the 1998 Richebourg Grand Cru from Domaine Méo-Camuzet has never been reviewed. Time to address that because this is a superb wine that probably delivers above expectations. It has a very expressive nose, perhaps one that would cause you to think DRC. It is very well defined with ebullient redcurrant and raspberry fruit and wonderful mineralité. The palate is brimming over with vivacity and tension. There are razor-sharp tannins here, but perhaps not the drive of the Richebourg 1999 from DRC tasted alongside, and perhaps without the same length. However, that is compensated by a sense of detail and freshness, the energy it shows on the finish. In the context of the vintage, this deserves a round of applause.

Ripe aromas of cassis, dark chocolate and flowers. Big, dense, sweet and mouthfilling. Huge for the vintage but stubbornly unevolved. Still, this presents itself as more open today and lower in acidity than the '98 Méo Camuzet Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux. Finishes with plenty of tannic clout. This wine, too, may get an additional racking.