Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils Volnay 1er ‘Clos du Chenes’ 2021

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

An Update on Domaine BOUCHARD Pere et Fils

From Burghound
As has been widely reported in the wine press, Maisons & Domaines Henriot, which controls both Bouchard Père & Fils and William Fèvre in Chablis plus Beaux Frères in Oregon, has joined Artemis Domaines, the new incarnation of François Pinault’s wine holdings. These include Domaines Clos de Tart and Eugénie in Bourgogne, along with Château Latour in Bordeaux and Château Grillet in the Rhone plus Araujo Estates in Napa. Artemis will reportedly control 75% of Henriot though I was unable to independently confirm that figure. How Artemis will restructure Bouchard, if at all, remains to be seen. There is though speculation among some observers that Bouchard’s so-called lower-level vineyards will be sold off and it will focus on becoming more of a luxury brand, more in the image of Eugénie or Clos de Tart. By contrast, others think it will be split into several domaines, with the lower-level vineyards continuing to be made and marketed by Bouchard while another, yet to be determined, entity will take the most prestigious vineyards and market them separately. Both scenarios are at least plausible as Bouchard’s holdings are among the greatest in all of Burgundy. We will see going forward but at a minimum, Winemaker Frédéric Weber noted that they bought in very little fruit and/or must in 2021 and 2022, and that going forward, they would concentrate almost exclusively on producing wines from domaine-owned vineyards. Indeed he said that there would be zero négociant activity as of 2023. He was careful to say that no permanent decisions had yet been made and that the focus on domaine vineyards was simply a ‘natural’ first step. This is an important story that will bear updating

About Bouchard Père et Fils

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Renowned and respected as one of the finest producers in Burgundy, Bouchard Père et Fils has truly become an institution, known for the exceptional quality of their wines and the diversity of its many vineyards.

Founded in 1731,  Bouchard Père et Fils has built up an estate of 130ha and, collectively, is the largest owner of Grand Crus (12ha) and Premier Crus (74ha) across the Côte d’Or Bouchard Père et Fils represents almost one hundred ‘climats’ or uniquely diverse vineyards, including prestigious monopoles such as ‘Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus’ and ‘Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte’.

In 1820 Bernard Bouchard purchased the Château de Beaune, a former royal fortress built in the 15th century by King Louis XI. Four of the five original towers of the fortress, as well as parts of the ramparts, still stand today, and have featured on the list of historic monuments since 1937.

The cellars run deep underground beneath the property providing ideal natural storage conditions for Bouchard Père & Fils’ fine wines. Up to 10 metres deep, the wines develop and age undisturbed. These include a unique collection of over 2,000 bottles from the 19thcentury. A priceless historical legacy with, as its icon, the oldest wine – a Meursault Charmes 1846 which still retains its luster.

Over time, by acquiring various terroirs with great care and patience, Bouchard Père & Fils has built up the biggest domaine in the Côte d’Or. Today the estate boasts 130 hectares of vines, of which 12 are classed Grand Cru and 74 classed as Premier Cru.

In the Vineyard

The Bouchard estate over 48 km from north to south with a mosaic of 450 different vineyards. The different vineyard parcels receive special care and attention all year round, with each site managed using sustainable viticulture in order to bring out the authenticity and full potential in the wines. To ensure the highest quality, the grapes are harvested by hand, placed in small crates, and then carefully selected on sorting tables.

In the Winery

Located 5 metres below ground level, the vinification vat room fruit and must to be transferred naturally by gravity into the estates 138 maceration tanks or presses. Over 100 different wines are vinified here. They are then matured in oak in a cellar with a 4,000 barrel capacity.

This maturation period allows the purity of the aromas and flavour profile of each terroir to fully express themselves. Dug 10 metres below ground, with no covering other than the earth itself, the barrel cellar provides ideal, natural conditions of ventilation and humidity for the wines to complete their long maturation process.

The 2021 Vintage by William Kelley

Thierry Pillot in Chassagne-Montrachet, 2021 brings to mind the Burgundies of yesteryear, saying they are “the wines I’ve always dreamed of making.” For Bertrand Dugat, the vintage “was like a breath of fresh air; it woke me up and gave me renewed energy.” For Cécile Tremblay, 2021 is “a return, at last, to Pinot Noir.” As ever, Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier summed it up succinctly when he said, “These are the wines I want to drink.”

William Kelley, The Wine Advocate from “France, Burgundy: The Côte d’Or’s 2021 and 2020 Vintages”

Where in the World is Bouchard Père et Fils

Bouchard Père et Fils Domaine is located in the village Beaune, while the winemaking take place at the St Vincent winery in Savigny-lès-Beaune. In the course of the estates long history, it has built a vast portfolio of vineyards and sites. They work with a raft of prestigious appellations: Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, Beaune Grèves Vignes de l’Enfant Jésus, Bonnes-Mares, Meursault Perrières… names that resonate with history, inspiring respect and encouraging the pursuit of excellence, with 4 monopolies and exclusivities among them.