Over a magnificent dinner at the Château de Beaune, Jasper Morris MW indulged in some of the finest wines from Bouchard Père & Fils, focused on vintages ending in "4." This evening was special for several reasons, including the tasting of the 2023 vintage from Domaine des Cabottes and insight into the future plans of Bouchard after its acquisition by Artémis Domaines.
Amid fresh changes, Bouchard’s strategy is to focus solely on domaine wines, which led to the reallocation of some properties to the newly formed Domaine des Cabottes. This move includes grand regions from the renowned Côte de Nuits and other top Beaune vineyards. While certain vineyards will now be produced under both labels, a vast acreage remains under the original Bouchard name, where winemaking responsibilities have been split among the existing team.
The evening’s tastings began with an intriguing selection of wines, each from vintages concluding with "4." Morris expressed skepticism towards the belief that certain years are inherently good or bad, illustrating this point with notable examples. The wines included both youthful and mature bottles, with the youngest red coming from 1974, promising a delightful exploration.
Among the featured wines were notable examples:
White Wines:
- 2014 Bouchard Père & Fils Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: Initially tight, it showed great potential with captivating fruit.
- 2004 Bouchard Père & Fils Montrachet Grand Cru: This wine had more precision than expected, though it lacked the intensity typical of Montrachet.
- 1964 Bouchard Père & Fils Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: A powerful wine that has aged remarkably well.
Red Wines:
- 1974 Mommessin Clos de Tart Grand Cru: Noteworthy for its vibrant fruit and refined structure.
- 1964 Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Premier Cru Clos de la Mousse: A delicate wine with rich cherry flavors that defied its age.
- 1924 Bouchard Père & Fils Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru: Known for its stunning elegance and brilliant expression of alpine strawberries.
As the evening unfolded, the guests engaged in spirited discussions and debates over the wines and their histories, all while savoring the remarkable selections. The event not only celebrated the exquisite offerings from Bouchard Père & Fils but also provided a glimpse into the evolving future of one of Burgundy’s most iconic wineries.
For further information about Bouchard Père & Fils, visit World Of Fine Wine.