Meursault Les Gouttes d'Or 1996 Domaine d'Auvenay

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (94)

Revealing grilled nut, minerals, and lemon drops on the nose, the Meursault Goutte D'Or explodes on the palate with massive waves of flower blossoms, ripe white peaches, metals, and poached pears. This beautifully refined and extraordinarily delineated wine has great depth, a full body, and a silky texture. As with all of Lalou Bize-Leroy's 1996 white Burgundy offerings, the Goutte d'Or is intensely concentrated and powerful.

Winespectator (92)

Very distinctive, with a dried herbs, green olive, piney, new oak, paint varnish character. OK, it's a bit weird, but there is sweet fruit and good concentration. Medium-bodied, it's chewy, with lots of dry extract, making it seem tough on the lingering finish. Either a terrible wine (for the strange aromas) or an outstanding one (for its midpalate concentration). A relatively recent label from Bize-Leroy, who swears that her '96 whites need decades to come around. Best after 2010.