Latour-Giraud Meursault 1er Cru "Genevrieres" 2023

92-95 BH

93-96 JM

Notes:

A naturally exotic nose of jasmine tea, gardenia, smoked apple and a variety of citrus nuances. There is fine volume to the super-sleek and strikingly textured medium weight flavors that exude an appealing bead of minerality on the lightly austere and wonderfully persistent finish that is also impeccably well-balanced. Excellent. Burghound 92-95

Mid yellow, with a really beautiful succulent nose, picked at perfect ripeness, and not hiding the delicacy and detail of fine Genevrières. Some lime, some verbena, delicate fresh apples, back to the lime blossom, then a really fine boned framework on the palate. Tingles the tastebuds in the most delicious way. A beautifully crafted 2023 Genevrières. Drink from 2029-2037. Tasted Oct 2024. Jasper Morris 93-96

Producer: Domaine Latour-Giraud is a family estate based in Meursault, with its holdings concentrated heavily in the village and its Premier Cru vineyards. The domaine is currently directed by Jean-Pierre Latour, who represents the latest generation of a family with a long history of viticulture in Meursault. Chardonnay forms the core of the estate, with holdings in several important Meursault Premier Crus including Genevrières, Perrières, Charmes and Bouchères, as well as vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet. The domaine is particularly notable for the size and quality of its Genevrières holdings, which form an important part of its production and are large enough to support both the regular Genevrières bottling and the separate Cuvée des Pierre selection. Burghound has repeatedly highlighted Latour-Giraud as an estate worth seeking out for the quality of its Meursault wines.
Vineyard: Genevrières is one of the major Premier Cru vineyards of Meursault, situated on the mid-slope south of the village, between the sectors of Perrières and Charmes. Domaine Latour-Giraud has an unusually substantial holding here, with approximately 2.5 hectares in Genevrières Dessus, the upper portion of the climat. The vines used for the 2023 bottling are reported to be more than 40 years old. Genevrières occupies a limestone-rich section of the Meursault slope, with relatively shallow, stony soils and excellent drainage. These conditions distinguish the vineyard from the deeper, more clay-influenced soils found farther down the slope. Genevrières is historically regarded as one of Meursault's most important Premier Cru sites, and Latour-Giraud's sizeable holding makes it one of the key vineyards within the domaine.
Winemaking: The 2023 Genevrières is 100% Chardonnay and follows Latour-Giraud's traditional approach to white Burgundy, with fermentation and élevage in French oak barrels. The domaine uses barrel maturation to develop the wine while maintaining the individual character of its Premier Cru sites. For Genevrières, the emphasis is on retaining the vineyard's natural acidity and mineral structure alongside the concentration supplied by mature vines. The 2023 growing season produced a healthy and relatively generous crop in Burgundy, with Chardonnay achieving good ripeness while maintaining freshness, particularly in well-positioned Côte de Beaune vineyards.
Technical Details: Meursault Premier Cru AOC; Genevrières climat; Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France; 2023 vintage; 100% Chardonnay; approximately 2.5 hectares in Genevrières Dessus; vines 40+ years old; limestone-rich, stony soils; estate grown and bottled by Domaine Latour-Giraud; 13.5% ABV; 750ml.
Food Pairing: Butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, Dover sole, roasted turbot, monkfish, grilled langoustines, roast chicken, veal with morels, lobster risotto, mushroom preparations, Comté and Beaufort. Genevrières combines the breadth expected of Meursault with particularly pronounced mineral structure, making lobster, scallops and firm white fish especially appropriate. Richer poultry and veal preparations can match the wine's concentration, while its acidity and mineral character provide enough freshness to handle butter- and cream-based sauces.