Bouchard Père & Fils : Beaune 1er cru "Les Grèves" Domaine 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Beaune 1er cru "Les Grèves" Domaine 2018 from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Appearance

Deep garnet in hue, this wine displays subtle brick-red highlights.

Nose

The nose is multifaceted and deep, revealing aromas of blackcurrant and fresh red fruits. Delicate notes of licorice and flowers mingle with spicy touches, notably cinnamon. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward nuances of dried rose and toasted almonds, attesting to its complexity.

Palate

The attack charms with its finesse, elegance, and velvety softness. The structure unfolds gracefully, carried by silky tannins and a pleasant freshness. The palate combines intensity and delicacy, revealing flavors of red fruits accompanied by spicy and mineral notes. The long, persistent finish leaves a fruity, spicy impression that invites further exploration.

Food and wine pairings

This Beaune Premier Cru pairs ideally with grilled red meats or meats in sauce, as well as poultry in cream sauce. It also matches beautifully with pink-cooked pigeon served with fresh fava beans, or with soft cheeses with washed rinds.

Serving and cellaring

The Beaune 1er cru "Les Grèves" Domaine 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through around 2035, or even beyond under optimal cellaring conditions.

An elegant, structured Beaune Premier Cru

The estate

Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine institutions in Bourgogne. The estate now spans 130 hectares in the Côte d'Or, including 12 hectares of Grands Crus and 74 hectares of Premiers Crus. Since 2022, the property has belonged to Artémis Domaines, controlled by the Pinault and Henriot-Larouzière families. Certified organic since 2025, the estate is moving toward biodynamic farming as early as 2026, while preserving its exceptional heritage at the Château de Beaune.

The vineyard

The climat Les Grèves is the largest Premier Cru in the Beaune appellation, with more than thirty-one hectares. Its name comes from the distinctive composition of its soils, made up of sands, gravel, and friable rocks rather than heavy clay or overly abundant limestone. Located on the slopes of Mont Battois between 230 and 300 meters above sea level, the vineyard benefits from an east to southeast-facing exposure. This light, well-drained structure—never waterlogged nor excessively dry—allows pinot noir to reach optimal ripeness. The gravelly topsoil rests on a subsoil of fractured limestone and marl, creating ideal conditions for producing wines of extreme finesse: supple and fragrant.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage proved exceptional for Bourgogne, marked by remarkable summer heat and ideal harvest conditions. After a winter with satisfactory rainfall and a mild spring, summer brought prolonged warmth, particularly intense from late August onward, encouraging optimal sugar accumulation. The naturally excellent drainage of Les Grèves prevented any water stress. Burgundy experts have ranked this vintage alongside the great years 1990, 1959, and 1929 for the Côte de Beaune. Beaune’s Premiers Crus show fine structure with silky tannins and will cellar to advantage for many years.

Vinification and aging

Vinification of the Beaune 1er cru "Les Grèves" Domaine 2018 begins with complete or partial destemming depending on the characteristics of the vintage. Fermentation takes place in small vessels with a maceration that can last fifteen to twenty days, followed by gentle pressing. Aging is carried out in French oak barrels for fourteen to eighteen months, with 30% to 50% new oak. This measured approach allows the wine to develop subtle notes of vanilla and dried fruits while preserving the delicate expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

Pinot noir