Wine: 2001 Meursault "Clos de la Baronne"

Producer: Domaine Labouré-Roi (Meursault)

Comment: Maison Labouré-Roi, based in Nuits St. Georges, has been around for a long time, offering correct if largely unexciting négociant burgundies at fair prices. They also had an agreement with what was formerly called Domaine René Manuel in Meursault to make and market their wines as well under a joint Labouré-Roi/René Manuel imprimatur. As of about one year ago, a transformation has occurred as the Manuel name has been replaced by Domaine Labouré-Roi and with it has come a welcome rededication to producing top quality wines. I visited the Domaine in February and was very impressed with the wines and I had occasion the retaste the entire range here in the US and it again impressed me. Of particular interest was the 2001 Clos de la Baronne, which is a section within a vineyard called Le Village. Aromatically cool, reserved and understated with gorgeous Meursault aromas of roasted nuts and green orchard fruits followed by abundant and generously sappy flavors of real grace and complexity and while this is by no means a dramatic wine by the standards of today´s big oak-infused monsters, there is good volume, lovely complexity, fine density, balance and real intensity. This is remarkably good for its level and classically styled with no make up. A first rate villages and highly recommended both for quality and value. 89/2005-10

U.S. Importer: Palm Beach Imports, Syosset, NY (1-800-872-5622, ext 505)

Suggested Price: $33.99 (you can expect to pay around $30 or perhaps slightly less)

Important Note: Burghound.com has no financial relationship of any kind with Domaine Labouré-Roi or with Palm Bay Imports.

Each week we feature a different Burgundy. While there will be a mix of vintages, most wines featured will be those that can normally be found at a variety of fine wine retailers. Each wine will be described and rated with a suggested window of peak drinkability indicated after the numerical score. Prices shown are estimated retail in the U.S., but prices do of course vary widely depending on the retailer.