2012 Domaine Philippe Chavy, Meursault “Narvaux” Old Vines, White Burgundy, France.
The latest Chavy Narvaux is amazingly concentrated and gorgeous, sadly there is such little available, I hear only between 5 to 10 cases are going to be booked in California, so there will be just a tiny amount out there. The vintage is looking fantastic, it was a disaster for growers with a near wipe out by hail in the Cote De Beaune there was a crop that was at best 30% total of normal, with an average loss of 60-70%, then there was extra thinning to maximize quality, ending with ultra small yields. This adds up to sky high prices, top quality and will result in a frenzy to get the best wines, both red and whites, while I am not happy about the big jump in cost, I can understand the supply and demand forces at work, and that many producers need to re-coop some of the loss they have endured with three vintages of serve hail damage in the region, this is the new reality with Burgundy. The 2012 Philippe Chavy Meursault Narvaux is all for Vieilles Vignes, very old vines, and shows deep layers of flavors, sublime mineral grace and a wonderful lengthy finish with loads of terroir, purity and elegance with lemon, white flowers, apple, white peach and wet stones along with golden fig, clove and honey. There is a rich mouth feel, but great acidity, drive and focus. Look for a long drinking window, best from 2016 to 2020 for the glorious old vine Chardonnay, this is fantastic white Burgundy, just released, so keep your eyes open, it will go fast!
($89 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
