2012 Fixin

The 2012 Fixin is bright, focused and beautifully articulated throughout. An energetic, vibrant wine, the 2012 stands out for its drive. The richness of the vintage has given the Fixin an additional measure of depth, it doesn't usually have, to complement the wine's natural vivacity.

The 2012 Fixin Village offers light crushed strawberry on the nose that needs to muster more delineation by the time of bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, fine acidity but just a little brusque on the finish. I would err towards the Marsannay on this showing. Domaine Meo-Camuzet boasts one of the most enviable portfolios in Vosne-Romanee, crowned by Richebourg Grand Cru and Cros Parantoux, the latter essentially grand cru in all but name thanks to the late Henri Jayer, who decided that vines might profit more from the land than a few veg. I have been following the wines for over a decade and visiting Jean-Nicolas Meo’s cellar just down the road from Bernard Gros. Together we tasted through both his negociant and domaine bottlings, partly from pre-prepared samples and others directly from barrel. He told me he had been surprised at the changes in pH post-malo-lactic fermentation, possibly due to a precipitation of potassium that had made the wines feel rounder. Certainly some of the cuvees did have a certain “sumptuousness” about them, but for the most part that tannins were present and correct, lending backbone to offset the occasionally intense fruit. Readers should note that I took a video of Jean-Nicolas discussing the vintage in his cellars, so please access this for further insight. Importer: Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

This is earthier still with fresh and ripe dark berry fruit aromas that lead to well-delineated and mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that possess a lovely mouth feel before terminating in a complex finish that exhibits only a trace of rusticity. Tasted: Jan 15, 2014. Drink: 2017+