There is not Vieille Vignes version of the 2012 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes this year since hail reduced it down to just seven cases. It is more taciturn on the nose compared to the Poruzots but rigorous aeration reveals a hidden core of spicy aromas. The palate is well-balanced with a core of waxy fruit. It is quite pithy compared to Poruzots, although without the same delineation and tension on the finish. It is just missing the pizzazz at the moment, but let us see how it performs in bottle. I have been visiting Francois Mikulski for a number of years. This is a reliable address for Meursault, although like numerous others his crops were depleted in 2012, resulting in the absence of some of this cuvees including some of his Meursault village crus that were blended together. Hail was also significant, reducing Volnay Santenots down to a negligible eight hectoliters per hectare. I tasted his wines from pre-blended bottles that were as close to the final blend as Francois could estimate. Importer: A Becky Wasserman Selection (various importers), Le Serbet; fax 011- 333-80-24-29-70