Robert Ampeau Meursault 1er Cru La Piece Sous Le Bois 2002

This is a super rare, very special bottling of which I have the last 30 bottles in the U.S.

La Pièce Sous le Bois was the last vineyard acquired by Robert Ampeau in 1973. It’s the largest of parcels belonging to the estate (1.6 hectares) and today is planted entirely to Chardonnay. The location here is everything. La Pièce is among the steepest and highest elevations vineyards in Meursault (just below the forest at the very top of the hill) and very close to the border of Puligny-Montrachet.

The soils here consist of stony limestone and clay over another layer of limestone which is fundamentally very similar to the First Growth vineyards in the middle of the hill. The main difference is that, at the top of the hill, topsoils are finer and faster draining, which creates a more stressful environment resulting in racier and lighter qualities. But not this beauty, she has it all.

Use a big glass – Burgundy or Bordeaux and give it time. The nose is likely to take you in a world of different directions but expect honey, fresh apple, a bit of hay, a few nutty overtones and more. The palette still has bite which makes me think this might have another four to eight years ahead of it. Crisp apple drizzled with fresh local honey dominates and dozens of flavors play underneath and more present themselves as the wine evolves in the glass.