Domaine Ampeau Robert Et Fils : Meursault 1er cru "La Piece Sous le Bois" 2002

Tasting Notes and Serving Recommendations for the Meursault 1er Cru "La Pièce Sous le Bois" 2002, Domaine Ampeau Robert Et Fils

Tasting

Color

This wine shows a golden yellow hue that remains notably bright for its age, with little visible sign of oxidative evolution despite more than two decades in bottle.

Nose

The nose opens on honeyed lemon and ripe stone fruit, layered with soft hazelnut tones and a saline, mineral edge reminiscent of seashells. Initial reductive notes tend to fade with aeration, giving way to a more open and expressive bouquet.

Palate

The palate shows a creamy, silky texture, supported by a medium-plus acidity that keeps the wine fresh despite its maturity. Citrus, apricot, cantaloupe, and a gentle hazelnut character unfold alongside a pronounced saline, stony minerality that carries through to a long, precise finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs well with fine seafood and shellfish, such as pan-seared scallops, roasted langoustines, or lobster, as well as delicate freshwater fish preparations. It also complements cream-based poultry dishes, ideally enriched with mushrooms, and well-aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

This Meursault 1er Cru "La Pièce Sous le Bois" 2002 benefits from aeration, with 45 to 60 minutes in the glass or decanter allowing it to gain width and complexity as any initial reductive notes dissipate.

Other characteristics

This wine reaches close to 14.99% alcohol by volume, reflecting the ripeness achieved in the 2002 vintage, while a medium-plus acidity keeps the overall balance fresh.

A Meursault Premier Cru Shaped by Altitude, Chalky Soil, and Extended Cellar Aging

The Estate

Domaine Ampeau Robert Et Fils was founded in the early 20th century and structured by Robert Ampeau before passing to his son Michel, who now heads the property. Based in Meursault, in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, the estate farms about 9.3 hectares spread across several reputed appellations, with a particular focus on Meursault village and premier cru climats. It was among the early adopters of cover cropping between vine rows and is known for keeping its wines in the cellar for many years, sometimes decades, releasing them only once judged to have reached full maturity.

The Vineyard

La Pièce Sous le Bois is a Meursault premier cru climat set high on the hillside above the village, at the edge of the Blagny woods, at an elevation of roughly 330 to 350 meters, among the highest points in Meursault. The site faces southeast, catching morning sun while the adjacent woods moderate afternoon heat, and its soil is predominantly chalky, with white marls and stony elements that support good drainage. For this cuvée, the estate describes its approach to the vineyard as sustainable farming.

The Vintage

2002 is considered a favorable vintage for white Burgundy, generally associated with ripe, well-structured wines, a characteristic reflected in this cuvée's elevated alcohol level of close to 15%.

Winemaking and aging

For the Meursault 1er Cru "La Pièce Sous le Bois" 2002, the grapes were pressed using a pneumatic press, with both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation taking place in oak barrels. The wine was then aged for about 10 months in barrels, of which 10 to 25% were new, with regular lees stirring (bâtonnage) to build texture. In keeping with the estate's broader approach, the wine was held in the cellar for an extended period before release, brought to market only once judged ready to drink.

Grape Varieties

100% chardonnay.