BOUCHARD Père & Fils (Beaune) -- 2016 Tasted from Barrel Samples Part II: Côte de Nuits Reds

(Originally published 9 March 2018)

Details on the vintage are here.


2016 Chambolle-Musigny
Violets that one often finds in Chambolle characterize the nose of this wine. The mouth is light, pure, and fresh with mineral dark fruits. 20% whole clusters. Half from estate fruit, half from purchased grapes. (88-91)

2016 Gevrey-Chambertin
Bouchard exploits more than 10 ha in Gevrey, mostly in Brochon, to the north. With yields of 45 hl/ha in 2016, there are roughly 70,000 bottles, a good amount, and there is good quality here. The nose has mineral red fruits. The mouth is medium-weight with good acidity, freshness to the red fruits, and a smooth texture.  (88-91)

2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges    1er Cru   Les Cailles   Domaine
Violets aromas are followed on the palate by red fruits and good minearlity. The wine is light on the tongue and shows good penetration. The vines here are about 40 years-old, 25% whole clusters, about 30-33% new oak.  (90-94)

2016 Echézeaux
With the short vintage, Bouchard’s estate fruit is supplemented by purchases for this vintage. The nose is floral and features violets. The mouth is medium-weight and sensual with violets, minerality, and length. 15% whole clusters, 35% new oak. (92-96)

2016 Clos Vougeot
The Clos Vougeot has mineral aromas. The mouth shows black raspberries and is light on the palate, long, and mineral. Like the Echézeaux, this wine is a mixture of estate and negociant fruit. 35% whole clusters, 40% new oak. (92-95)

2016 Chapelle-Chambertin
The Chapelle-Chambertin has mineral, tightly-wound nose with some spices showing. The mouth is dense for the vineyard with dark and red fruits and minerality. This wine is not as nervy as Chapelle-Chambertin often can be, but it still shows good energy. 15% whole clusters, 30% new wood. (92-95)

2016 Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze
The Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze has stoniness in the nose. The mouth is light on the palate, fresh, pure, stony, and racy — impressive but young. Only 60% of a full harvest as here, as elsewhere in Clos-de-Bèze, the frost was severe. 20% whole clusters, 35% new oak. (93-97)