Tasting Méo-Camuzet’s 2024 Pinot Noir from Marsannay to Chambolle
When a producer like Domaine Méo-Camuzet hits a multi-year groove, you almost expect the next vintage to cruise. Then Burgundy throws you a curveball. 2024 looks leaner and a touch more serious—what Steen Öhman at Winehog politely calls “austere”—which is not the easiest canvas for wines known for polish and presence. Yet that’s exactly why this visit matters: seeing how a house famous for precision navigates a season with sharper edges and how oak choices play referee.
Winehog’s tasting with winemaker María Ignacia Navarro González gives us a snapshot of two key appellations—Marsannay and Chambolle-Musigny—and a clue about the cellar game plan: 30% new oak, largely François Frères, with some Cavin. The early notes suggest elegance over opulence, freshness over flash, and oak that needs time to tuck in.
“Some 2024s have a somewhat austere side.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog
Style Snapshot: Pinot Noir, Côte de Nuits, Dry and Lithe
We’re in classic red Burgundy territory: Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits, specifically Marsannay and Chambolle-Musigny. Expect dry, light-to-medium-bodied wines with red fruit leanings, fine tannins, and acidity that carries the frame rather than bulks it up. In leaner years, that structure reads as precision—great for food, not necessarily crowd-pleasing plush out of the gate.
From the source: Marsannay is described as “Rather classic… a bit on the darker side… phenolics seem relatively fine.” And the Chambolle-Musigny? “oak a bit forward currently. The wine is lightfooted and quite vivid… 30% new oak; 85% is François Frères and the rest is Cavin.” (All quotes attributed to Steen Öhman, Winehog.)
“oak a bit forward currently.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog
Context: Oak vs. Austerity (And Why It’s a Dance)
Oak in Burgundy is like sunscreen on a cloudy day—sometimes you barely need it, sometimes you’re grateful later. François Frères barrels are a familiar choice for top Côte de Nuits producers; think refined toast and spice that can underline fruit or, if mistimed, spot-light the frame. In 2024, with the “austere side” Öhman notes, oak has to integrate, not amplify edges.
Chambolle-Musigny is typically the ballerina of the Côte de Nuits—silk, lift, and perfume. If the wine feels more “lightfooted” than hedonistic this year, that’s Chambolle being Chambolle in a taut vintage: great bones, a little patience required. Marsannay, increasingly respected for its value and range, can run a touch darker and more savory. Lean years often highlight its structure and clarity rather than plush fruit. None of that is a red flag; it’s just Burgundy doing Burgundy.
The cellar choices (30% new oak, mostly François Frères) suggest Méo-Camuzet isn’t shying away from texture—they’re calibrating it. In a year with finer phenolics and bright acid lines, that seems like the right move: keep the wines poised, then let time knit the elements.
How to Think About Buying 2024 Méo-Camuzet Reds
If you love Pinot Noir that’s dry, focused, and food-friendly, 2024 could be your lane—especially for those who prefer energy over richness. Don’t expect instant fireworks; expect clarity, balance, and evolution. The Marsannay should be an early-drinking pick (Öhman hints at accessibility with “classic” and “fine phenolics”), while the Chambolle-Musigny looks like it will blossom as the oak folds in.
Best occasion: a thoughtful dinner where conversation and the wine share the stage, not compete. Best pairing direction: keep it savory and simple—roast chicken, grilled salmon, mushrooms, or charred vegetables. You want umami and restraint, not butter bomb territory.
As someone who splits time between tasting rooms and the Pacific, I’ll say it this way: 2024 at Méo-Camuzet feels like a clean shoulder-high day—not epic, but beautifully surfable if you bring the right board. Patience, timing, and respect for the line make the ride.
Closing Takeaway
Steen Öhman’s early read positions Méo-Camuzet’s 2024s as elegant rather than expansive—wines with lift, clarity, and oak that needs a little settling. If you collect for nuance, this is your vintage lane. If you chase decadence, wait and watch. Burgundy thrives on contrast, and 2024 looks ready to reward the patient.
Original source: Steen Öhman, Winehog — with a passion.
Source: https://winehog.org/visit-to-domaine-meo-camuzet-tasting-the-2024s-71826/
