Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Charmes

Outstanding wine and arguably the best white burgundy I have ever tried. The balance and subtlety was allied to power and minerality. If you like primary fruit, then don't bother with this, but overall, just wonderful.

I checked this several times after opening to make sure it was not spoiled by prem-ox. The color seemed light and the nose clean. But at dinner, it took on a darker hue and a more overtly honeyed chracter that while enjoyable was too advanced for a '96 white burg, even a Meursault. Still, the lush buttery and nutty fruit is enjoyable if not thriling. Time to drink up soon, though, before it falls into the abyss.

Very nice burgundy yet surprisingly restrained despite a four hour decant. With vigorous swirling and sniffing, the classic Meursault character could be teased out - butter, hazelnuts and a tiny hint of caramel. The color was an alarming deep gold but there was no oxidation. Excellent medium weight and texture. I think sound bottles would continue to develop over the next 2 - 4 years at least. In this case the vintage character dominated the vineyard specificity.

This is an example of a '96 white burg that is not totally spoiled by oxidation but clearly on a fast evolutionary track. Already medium gold, it is mature or post-mature with a lot of honeysuckle on the nose. The palate is very good, quite rich and loaded with that fat Charmes fruit that makes this climat so easy to enjoy. The acidity is about right, yet the flavors are compressed and there's not the complexity of a wine that …

Drank with the 90, with 96 having more mineral. Can last another 5+ yrs.