Bouchard Père & Fils : Echezeaux Grand cru "Les Rouges du Bas" 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Echezeaux Grand Cru "Les Rouges du Bas" 2021 from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a ruby-red hue with magenta and purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals intense aromas of red berries and blackberry, accompanied by spicy and floral notes of rose and violet. Hints of oak and a saline minerality complete this refined, complex bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its silky texture and fine, elegant tannins. The palate unfolds aromas of dark and red fruits, supported by a lovely mineral freshness. The whole offers a remarkable balance between finesse and power, characteristic of a Grand Cru, with a long and deliciously lingering finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with fine red meats such as filet mignon or a roasted bone-in rib steak. It also elegantly complements feathered game, roast duck with red fruits, as well as dishes featuring wild mushrooms. Aged cheeses such as Époisses also make an excellent match.

Serving and cellaring

The Echezeaux Grand Cru "Les Rouges du Bas" 2021 can be enjoyed now for its freshness and vibrant fruit, but will gain in complexity with a few years of cellaring. It is best served at a temperature of 15–16°C. One hour of aeration in a decanter will allow its aromas to fully express themselves.

The structure and balance of a Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

Founded in 1731 in Beaune by Michel Bouchard, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of the oldest houses in Burgundy. The estate now spans 98.7 hectares across 77 climats, three quarters of which are classified as Premier or Grand Cru. Since September 2022, the property has been owned by Artémis Domaines, the Pinault family's investment company, under the general management of Jean-Marc Pistre. In October 2024, a major restructuring gave rise to Domaine des Cabottes, an autonomous entity bringing together 35 hectares of the most prestigious parcels. The entire vineyard obtained organic certification in 2025, with a biodynamic conversion underway for Domaine des Cabottes.

The vineyard

The Echezeaux Grand Cru covers around 37 hectares divided into eleven distinct climats, located in the commune of Flagey-Échézeaux in Côte de Nuits. The climat "Les Rouges du Bas" covers 3.99 hectares on the slope and includes the highest point of the appellation. Bouchard Père & Fils owns a 0.39-hectare parcel with southern exposure, benefiting from a cool microclimate. The soils are composed of Bajocian marls with stony elements resting on a Jurassic limestone base, at an altitude of around 250 meters. This mid-slope position offers both the elegance of higher-altitude terroirs and the depth of richer soils.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly demanding for winegrowers. A significant spring frost affected many parcels, followed by downy mildew and botrytis pressure during the season. These conditions required rigorous vineyard management and selective harvesting. Despite these challenges, very low yields and meticulous selection made it possible to obtain grapes of excellent quality. The vintage is characterized by elegant, fresh, transparent wines, favoring finesse and the expression of terroir with moderate alcohol levels.

Vinification and aging

The Echezeaux Grand Cru "Les Rouges du Bas" 2021 was aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, with a proportion of new oak between 45 and 60%. This extremely limited production yielded only a single barrel, underscoring the rare and exclusive character of this cuvée.

Grape variety

100% pinot noir.