Bouchard Père & Fils : Chevalier-Montrachet Grand cru Domaine 2013

Tasting characteristics and advice for the 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Colour

The colour reveals a pale gold hue with bright highlights, typical of a great Burgundy Chardonnay.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and refined, unveiling floral aromas alongside mineral notes suggestive of limestone and mint. With aeration, the nose gains intensity, revealing nuances of white peach, orange zest, vanilla and brioche, as well as touches of almond paste and toasted notes.

Palate

On the palate, this wine impresses with its remarkable balance. The structure is both muscular and taut, carried by vibrant acidity that brings freshness and tension. The palate reveals a broad texture and exceptional density, with a generous fruity expression and a long, mineral finish with limestone and saline accents.

Food and wine pairings

This 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru pairs perfectly with grilled langoustines or lobster, scallops poached in a nage, crayfish in sauce, or noble fish such as turbot or sole served with creamy sauces. It also elevates foie gras thanks to its freshness and minerality.

Serving and cellaring

This 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. It can be appreciated until around 2035, reflecting exceptional ageing potential.

A full-bodied and fresh Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

Founded in 1731 in Beaune by Michel Bouchard, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest houses. Today, the estate spans 98.7 hectares across 77 distinct climats, around three-quarters of which are classified as Premier Cru or Grand Cru. Since September 2022, the property has belonged to Artémis Domaines, led by Frédéric Engerer. The estate completed its conversion to certified organic farming in 2025, demonstrating a deep environmental commitment while preserving its exceptional historic heritage at the Château de Beaune.

The vineyard

Chevalier-Montrachet is located in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune, on the heights overlooking Puligny-Montrachet. This Grand Cru covers just 7.59 hectares, of which Bouchard Père & Fils owns 2.33 hectares spread across the appellation’s four distinct terraces. The vineyard benefits from an east-southeast exposure, at an altitude between 265 and 290 metres. The poor soils, made up of marly limestone with a stony subsoil of Jurassic origin, give the wines their signature minerality and remarkable ageing potential.

The vintage

The 2013 vintage in Burgundy proved demanding for winegrowers. The cold, wet winter delayed the growing cycle by around twenty days. Flowering took place under delicate conditions, particularly in the Côte de Nuits. Fortunately, the Côte de Beaune benefited from more favourable conditions. Harvesting took place late, from 30 September to 11 October 2013, requiring rigorous grape selection. Despite these climatic challenges, the white wines of Puligny-Montrachet proved to be a fine qualitative success.

Vinification and ageing

The 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru harvest was carried out by hand in small 13-kilogram crates, followed by meticulous sorting of the grapes. Pressing was performed in two phases: free-run juice was drained by gravity, then successive pressings took place every two hours. Maceration lasted eighteen to twenty-two days, with daily punch-downs and no pump-overs. Ageing took place for twelve to thirteen months in French oak barrels, with a moderate proportion of new oak between 10 and 25%, without lees stirring.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.