2022 BITOUZET PRIEUR
When we first offered the 2022 Bitouzet Prieur in April, they sold out with head turning speed. Now that France is returning back to work, one of my suppliers offered a nice additional parcel of Bitouzet’s exceptional 2022s, which I am pleased to offer below at the Lowest Prices in the USA!
The 2022 whites: “I highly recommend as they are excellent”
It's been fun watching the next generation in Burgundy take over for their parents, standing on their shoulders, building on their knowledge. In the case of Bitouzet, it’s gone from a very good domaine… to a great one. Francois Bitouzet took control from his parents Vincent Bitouzet (Volnay) and Ann Prieur (Meursault) around 2010. His parent’s marriage had combined two important families into one formidable domaine, with 12 hectares of vines in some of Volnay and Meursaults most important 1er crus. Historically, they always made nice wines but rarely, if ever, did they produce anything truly compelling.
THAT has all changed!
One of the first changes Francois implemented was in the vineyards with the conversion to organic farming in 2013, although with no certification. His biggest undertaking is no doubt the incredible winery; a facility he created in the industrial portion of Meursault. Imagine having a blank check and creating your absolute dream winery, equipped with every imaginable piece of winemaking equipment, offices, reception areas etc...
The WOW factor is truly amazing!
The wines first caught my attention with the 2017 vintage. At that point, Francois had been farming organically for 5 years. With winemaking, obviously, it's not like you flip the switch on a new assembly line and the next vintage is incredible, even if you own all the best vineyards. It's a process. It's a small change here and a tweak there and then you look up 5 years later and viola, the fruits of your labor begin to show (pun intended).
About the time I started sitting up and paying attention, Francois broke ground on the new wine-making facility. If my memory serves, 2019 was the first vintage that he was able to vinify in the new facility. This is where the wines really took another giant leap forward. He was now able to vinify in a way that he was now able to control the temperatures, vinify separately, move the wines when they were ready and not because he needed the space for something else. It's this precision that has really defined what is happening today.
These are some of the best values in white Burgundy currently on the market. If you missed these the first time around here is your opportunity. These won’t last!
2022 Bitouzet Prieur Meursault “Clos du Cromin
Fuller lemon yellow in colour, with a bouquet that shows riper fruit than the Corbins, more expressive. Starts with a certain generosity of fruit then clamps down in a much more austere, limestone finish. A little more persistent. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: November 2023.
- Jasper Morris, 89-92
This is aromatically similar to the Les Corbins if perhaps just a bit cooler and with a bit more wood in evidence. There is better volume to the seductive and caressing medium bodied flavors that possess excellent punch on the balanced, lingering and slightly more complex finish. This is a lovely Meursault villages and worth checking out.
- Burghound, Outstanding!
2022 Bitouzet Prieur Meursault 1er Perrieres
From vines planted in 1983 in the central core of Perrières. There is quite powerful fruit, with the full imprint of Perrières, ripe pears with the apples, a significantly greater depth of fruit than the Charmes, well tied in to the acidity, and with fine length. Drink from 2030-2037. Tasted: November 2023.
- Jasper Morris, 92-95
A completely different nose presents aromas of wet stone, iodine, oyster shell and a more discreet application of wood. The super-sleek, intense and precise flavors exude an almost aggressive minerality on the strikingly long, youthfully austere and balanced finish. While this too could use better depth, more is all but guaranteed to develop if given a chance. If you can find this beauty, buy it.
- Burghound, 93
2022 Bitouzet Prieur Meursault 1er Charmes
The 2022 Meursault Les Charmes ler Cru has a very attractive nose with yellow fruit, peach skin, touches of beeswax and crushed stone. The oak is very nicely integrated. The palate is well-balanced, the 20% new oak well-judged, and the crisp acidity imparts freshness and tension. It delivers the concentration you expect from a Charmes, with the orange peel and tangerine finish lingering nicely in the mouth.
- Neil Martin, 91-93
More subtle oak influence can be found on the cool, airy and exceptionally pretty aromas of citrus, white flower and Granny Smith apple. Once again there is a beguiling texture to the impressively rich and mineral driven medium-bodied flavors that coat the palate on the youthfully austere, firm and beautifully persistent finale. While this could reasonably be approached after only three to four years, it has an excellent track record for aging and is a wine that should repay up to a decade of keeping.
- Burghound, 92 Outstanding!
2022 Bitouzet Prieur Volnay 1er Clos des Chenes
The 2022 Volnay Clos des Chênes ler Cru is very expressive on the nose. Redcurrant, wild strawberry and light rose petal scents unfold in the glass, less immediate than the Caillerets but ultimately offering more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. This is harmonious, taut, fresh, and well-defined, with a composed but persistent finish. Excellent.
- Neil Martin, 92-94
There is just enough wood present to merit pointing out on the distinctly earthy black cherry liqueur-like nose where a hint of kirsch lurks in the background. The super-sleek and appealingly vibrant medium weight flavors are not especially dense yet there is good power as well as fine depth and outstanding persistence on the compact, serious, youthfully austere and impeccably well-balanced finale. This is a first-rate Clos des Chênes.
- Burghound, 94 Don't Miss Outstanding!
