Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault 'Les Corbins' 2022
(Burgundy, France)

About The Winery:
A committed classicist, Vincent Bitouzet has provided us with over thirty-years worth of structured, demanding, age-worthy, satisfying wines, both red and white, from the heart of the Cote de Beaune. Based in Volnay and blessed with extensive holdings in Meursault as well, this domaine is a tried and true standard bearer for all that is fundamentally good and sound in Burgundy: conscientious and sensitive work in the vineyards, respect above all for the specific character of each lieu-dit, patience and attention to detail in the cellar, and a commitment to producing wines of depth and, of critical importance, longevity. To truly understand great white and red burgundy, one must wait for these grand expressions of terroir to mature to reveal their splendor and spectacular nuance.

Vincent Bitouzet's ancestral roots in Burgundy cover at least the last two centuries. His great-great grandfather, M. Gillotte, arrived in Auxey Duresses in 1802 and was mayor of that village. In 1804, the Bitouzet line settled in Volnay. The Bitouzets were one of the first of the family domaines in this region to bottle their wines. Vincent's grandfather had already garnered medals for his winemaking talents in 1860.

Vincent's wife, Annie Prieur, has equally distinguished antecedents. Her family (both Prieurs and Perronnets) was long established in Meursault and Ladoix. The resulting "merger" of the Bitouzet and Prieur family holdings has created a domaine of distinction and breadth. Francois Bitouzet, the only son of Vincent and Annie, is now working hand-in-hand with his parents as he maintains the deep Burgundian roots of his ancestors.

Vincent Bitouzet has been in partnership with importer Neil Rosenthal for over 30 years, bringing classic, old-school Burgundy to wine lovers in the U.S. His great-great-grandfather established the domaine, and when Vincent married Anne Prieur she brought along her own family history of winemaking along with significant vineyard holdings. Today the domaine is about 12 hectares in Volnay and Meursault.

All of the Bitouzet-Prieur vineyards are farmed organically. Copper is kept to a minimum and sexual confusion is employed to reduce insect infestations. winemaking is very traditional, native yeast fermentation and aging in mostly used barrique.

About The Vineyard:
Southeast-facing Les Corbins is located north of the village of Meursault on the way to Volnay, just underneath the premier cru Les Plures. François owns a hectare and a half of Chardonnay here, planted between 1974 and 1987; the soil is a particularly deep and rocky clay-limestone mix. Aged 16 months in 20% new barrels, it’s a textbook Meursault, combining intense minerality with a subtle buttercream note, and plenty of acid-driven tension as per the Bitouzet house style.

Ratings & Reviews:

91 Points - Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy:

"Pretty fresh green tint. The nose is quite strict, not demonstrative, while the white fruit fleshes out quite nicely on the palate. Medium bodied and some length. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted Nov 2023."

90 Points - James Suckling:
Cool and herbal nose with excellent freshness and a hint of smoke. Clean and rather crisp for this appellation. From three parcels of vineyards on the Volnay side of Meursault's vineyards, the oldest of which was planted in the early 1960s. Matured in small oak barrels, of which 20% were new. Drink now.

Burghound:
A discreet touch of mineral reduction lurks in the background on the nose of mostly hazelnut and acacia blossom aromas that are trimmed in just enough wood to mention. The delicious medium weight flavors also possess excellent punch and I particularly like the clean and dry finish that is well-balanced.