The Tasting Panel magazine

August 2017

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/856981

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 48 of 136

44  /  the tasting panel  /  august 2017 BOURGOGNE WHITES Bouchard Père & Fils 2015 Rully ($26) is named for a village in the Côte Chalonnaise, just south of the Côte d'Or. The area produces more white than red, and this Chardonnay shows a wonderful acidity with no aggressive lines. Its (limestone) mineral core keeps it lively and fresh, with notes of melon, dried pineapple and pear. A lemon-curd middle and white flowers adds to its delicate nature. 90 Bouchard Père & Fils 2015 Pouilly-Fuissé, Côte d'Or ($30) is born in the Mâconnais. A Chardonnay star with a nose of lemon-vanilla, chamomile and white peach. Crisp, light and ethereal, it seemingly dissipates off the tongue, leaving a slate minerality behind—like fog lifting off a warm rock. 90 Bouchard Père & Fils 2015 Clos Saint- Landry, Beaune, Côte d'Or ($65) is where the oldest traces of the Chardonnay variety are found—rare for a predominantly Pinot Noir region. This is a Premier Cru wine on a monopole of just under five acres, with a nose reminiscent of vanilla and lime pudding. The acidity is precise and the palate rich with barrel spices and nuanced with white pepper and crisp pears. A surprise New World tropical note of papaya surges on the smooth finish. 93 Bouchard Père & Fils Premier Cru 2015 Beaune du Château, Côte d'Or ($45) is an exclusive house cuvée, made since 1907. It is a blend of several Premier Cru vineyards, vinified separately. A wide range of floral aromas charm the senses, from orange blossom to honeysuckle, with a touch of heady vanilla. Crisp, toffee-kissed melon, brown rice and tapioca complement the silkiness of this Chardonnay. Its zingy acidity keeps it fresh. 93 REDS Bouchard Père & Fils 2014 Côte de Beaune- Villages, Côte d'Or ($30) has a nice roundness, with a lightweight body and a bounty of red fruit that shines with its mineral-fresh nature. 89 Bouchard Père & Fils 2015 Premier Cru Beaune Clos de la Mousse, Côte d'Or ($75) has an ancient history: The oldest trace of Clos de la Mousse dates back to 1220, when it was bequeathed to the church of Notre Dame. This Premier Cru monopole of 8.3 acres has been owned by Bouchard Père & Fils since 1872. While deep red fruit announces itself on the nose, the palate surges with earthy tea tones and plum skin. Its center is meaty, like a savory pie: fleshy but elegant. 95 Bouchard Père & Fils 2015 Premier Cru Beaune Grèves Vigne de L'Enfant Jésus, Côte d'Or ($140) comes from Bouchard Père & Fils' monopole vineyard of almost 9.7 acres in the heart of the Beaune Grèves appellation. With a cherry-bright nose that includes peppermint and spiced oak, rose petals melt on the tongue, drying the palate. Rescued by the juiciness of raspberries, cherries and the acidity of pomegranate, this satin beauty glides to the finish. 96 F ounded in 1731 in Volnay, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of the oldest Bourgogne houses. Since 1820, it has been head- quartered in the Château de Beaune, a former royal fortress built in the 15th century by King Louis XI. Today, the magnificent Bouchard wines are produced from more than 321 acres in the heart of the Côte d'Or, Bourgogne's most renowned wine region, including almost 30 acres of Grand Cru and 183 acres of Premier Cru––making Bouchard Père & Fils the largest landowner in the Côte d'Or. A winegrower first, with sustainable practices since 2000, Bouchard Père & Fils seeks the truest and finest expression of each terroir. Bouchard Père & Fils in brief: • It is the largest Grand and Premier Cru landholder in Burgundy. • A winegrower first, it has been practicing organic and sustainable methods since 2000. • Its core expertise is in crafting prestige wines, including 12 Grands Crus, two Monopoles and four exclusivities. • Uncompromising quality standards, long-term grower partnerships and ageing in a state-of-the-art winery create consistency and the truest and finest expression of each terroir. • It was acquired in 1995 by the Henriot family, who are committed to investing in the estate and its people. The Tasting Panel was honored to taste and review some of these prestigious wines, imported by Maisons & Domaines Henriot America. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS Beaune Appetit! WE HAVE A THIRST FOR GREAT BURGUNDY FROM PRODUCER BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS by Meridith May

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - August 2017