Bouchard Pere & Fils Santenay 2019
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2018-
Wong
Wilfred
Established in 1731, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of the oldest and most diverse Estate in Burgundy with approximately 130 ha (320 acres) of vineyards, the majority of which are Premiers and Grands Crus. Highly sought after, their wines benefit from optimal ageing conditions in the underground cellars of the Château de Beaune, the former 15th century royal fortress that the Domaine has occupied since 1820. Bouchard Père & Fils doesn't make wines; they bring them into existence. Cultivation and vinification, on a plot-by-plot basis, are a form of craftmanship that they pride themselves on which has led to the utmost respect for their terroirs. Bouchard Père & Fils obtained the highest level of sustainable agricultural certification (HVE3) in 2015, being the first in the Côte d'Or to do so.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
In the far southern end of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay forms a little notch that juts into the otherwise straight border with Côte Chalonnaise.
Santenay red wines show the true essence of red Burgundy at good price points and without demanding a lot of cellar time. Enticing aromas of rose-petal, violet, red fruits and licorice lead to sturdiness on the palate. With soils rich in oolitic limestone and marl, this is the home of well-constructed, hearty Pinot noir and represents a fantastic region to explore if you are just beginning your understanding of red Burgundy.
Reputable vineyards of Santenay include La Maladière, as well as the Premier Crus of La Comme, Clos de Tavannes, and Les Gravières.