Bouchard Pere et Fils

At this early stage the oak is more evident than for the straight Chevalier-Montrachet, perhaps hiding the fruit a touch on the nose. However, in the mouth the fruit shows incredible weight and energy, with opulent peaches and nectarines, all in a coating of expensive wood. 
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer

The 2013 grapes were picked between 30th September and 11th October. The white skins were fragile so pressing was very gentle, the reds more robust and capable of a good proportion of whole bunch fermentation. Most wines are now in tank with bottling a little earlier than usual. An exceptional range of reds in particular from Bouchard this year.

Spicy, exuberant flavours with nice purity and sweet spices in the persistent finish. A very well made Clos de Beze that focuses on intense fruit and vibrant flavours. The finish has a salty minerality. Only 300 cases produced in 2012.
Jeannie Cho Lee - Master of Wine

The bouquet of this splendid Chambertin Clos de Bze from Bouchard suggests new wood, magical perfume, deep rich plums and ultra opulence, yet on the palate it is seamless with energy right through to the back. It has an amazing intensity and endless length. This may be glorious to drink even in its youth though it should equally live to a ripe old age.

This La Cabotte is the very special sub-section of Chevalier, continuing the rows of Bouchards Le Montrachet. It is fairly restrained compared to the regular Chevalier, but with unbelievable intensity on the palate and a line of steel that runs through the middle. The fruit flavours are yet to emerge in detail but it is precise and chiselled, yet in glorious volume.

A pale, straw colour again, there is huge weight on the nose but not much detail. It has a fabulous degree of density over and above the regular Chevalier-Montrachet bottling. Perfectly balanced, how have they done this? A really heavenly wine with extraordinary density. Drink 2020-2030.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Picking began on 3rd September, not before, as the whites were not phenologically ripe earlier, and the acidity was stable. For the reds many more whole bunches have been used this vintage, given that the grapes were perfectly ripe. The reds are every bit the standard you would expect, but we were completely bowled over by the brilliance of the white wines here this year.

With a fine, clear colour and an impressively heady nose, this is still very measured. Majestic, dense, glorious too, this is very different to the Genevrières but also has a wonderful balance, including some ripe citrus fruit. Drink 2020-2028.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Picking began on 3rd September, not before, as the whites were not phenologically ripe earlier, and the acidity was stable. For the reds many more whole bunches have been used this vintage, given that the grapes were perfectly ripe. The reds are every bit the standard you would expect, but we were completely bowled over by the brilliance of the white wines here this year.

Rich purple with some blacker tints, some glossy new oak shows, although only 40 percent was used. This has the same sense of inky luxury which pervades the Bouchard reds this year, but is underpinned by a long thread of classy, stylish fruit. With superb length, this is really very chic. Drink 2026-2040.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Picking began on 3rd September, not before, as the whites were not phenologically ripe earlier, and the acidity was stable. For the reds many more whole bunches have been used this vintage, given that the grapes were perfectly ripe. The reds are every bit the standard you would expect, but we were completely bowled over by the brilliance of the white wines here this year.

Production was at 23hl/ha, yielding only 10 barrels, which is half the usual amount. These aren’t Bouchard’s vines, but the grower is clearly dedicated and produces great fruit, following some selected biodynamic principles. It’s very expressive and pleasurable and, although the house style is to offer a luxurious experience, there is no shortage of complexity here either. Drink 2026-2040.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Bouchard Père & Fils can trace its origins back to 1731 though it is no longer family- owned. In 1995 Champagne entrepreneur, Joseph Henriot, acquired the company. The wines are made by technical director Frédéric Weber in succession to Philippe Prost. An impressive gravity-flow winery on the Route de Savigny, the Cuverie St Vincent, was completed in 2005, enabling them to process all their wines with optimum efficiency. Bouchard’s total holdings comprise 130 hectares, including 12 hectares of Grand Cru and 74 hectares of Premier Cru, which makes them the largest vineyard owners in the Côte d’Or. Philippe Prost had an individual take on the vintage. His view is that the high levels of rainfall at the start of the year (themselves contributory to the frost damage) saturated the soil to such a degree that high levels of minerals were unlocked and subsequently taken up by the vines. It is useful to get the view of a producer who covers the whole region. He also observed that there were much smaller berries in the Côte de Beaune than the Côte de Nuits and that, on the whole, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were picked at almost the same time. He also offered a thought on bâtonnage: Bouchard prefers to roll their barrels to move the lees, and not to open the bung and stir. This preserves the CO2 in the wine which means less SO2 is necessary.

It takes time to dig out all the flavours in this exceptional wine. It is a blockbuster, with notes of gingerbread and orange blossom adding an exotic quality to the dense mass of classical fruit. Extraordinarily intense, this will be terrific if you can wait a few years; be patient and you will be rewarded.

Bouchard’s parcel is in Le Corton, at 280 metres’ altitude and facing east. The fruit here ripens slowly, giving an energetic and complex expression. It is delicate but concentrated, with complex flavours of crushed red berries and Asian spices, and chalky tannins that roll over the tongue. Drink 2024-2028.

Frédéric Weber explained that the dry conditions in the summer left some parcels suffering from hydric stress, which necessitated a change to the usual picking order. As a result, harvest began on 4th September in the Côte de Beaune for reds, with whites following from 8th and then the Côte de Nuits reds from 12th, finishing with Clos de Bèze on 20th. The season was otherwise very straightforward and Frédéric feels the vintage has given whites with good balance and surprising power, and reds which are rounded with delicate aromas and flavours.