Bouchard Père & Fils : Aloxe-Corton Village 2020

Tasting notes and recommendations for Aloxe-Corton 2020 from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays an intense, deep ruby hue, reflecting the vintage’s fine concentration.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of ripe red and black fruits, accompanied by notes of vanilla and musk. Menthol and spice nuances add further complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, this wine shows a fine balance between freshness and concentration. The texture is supple and elegant, carried by fine, silky tannins. The fruity aromas from the nose extend harmoniously, supported by attractive minerality and perfectly integrated oaky notes. The finish lingers pleasantly with fruity and mineral notes.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for herb-grilled red meats, feathered game such as pheasant or partridge, as well as dishes in sauce such as coq au vin or lapin chasseur. It also pairs very well with soft cheeses such as Chaource or Époisses.

Serving and cellaring

Aloxe-Corton 2020 can be enjoyed now but will gain in complexity with a few years of cellaring. It can be kept until around 2032 under proper cellar conditions. Ideally serve at a temperature of 15-16°C.

A fresh, beautifully concentrated Burgundy Pinot Noir

The estate

Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, a textile merchant, the House of Bouchard Père & Fils stands out as one of Burgundy’s largest estates, with around 130 hectares spread across 77 prestigious Climats, from the north of the Côte de Nuits to the Grand Crus of Puligny-Montrachet. Since September 2022, the estate has belonged to François Pinault via Artémis Domaines, which has undertaken a major restructuring: the creation of Domaine des Cabottes bringing together the most emblematic parcels, the complete discontinuation of négociant activities, and organic certification obtained in 2025. The Château de Beaune, acquired in 1820 and listed as a historic monument, houses exceptional cellars preserving nearly 2,000 old bottles.

The vineyard

Aloxe-Corton lies at the foot of the Corton hill, at the junction between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. The vines benefit from a favorable east-southeast exposure on clay-limestone soils mixed with marl and gravel. This geological composition, enriched with iron oxide that gives the soil its distinctive red color, lends the wines their hallmark structure and fine minerality.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy was marked by extreme weather conditions, with the driest season since 1945 and temperatures 1.7°C above seasonal norms. Despite a water deficit of more than 200 millimeters and drying northerly winds, the drought paradoxically helped preserve remarkable natural acidity in the grapes. This concentration of the berries, combined with surprising freshness, defines the unique character of this vintage.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest is carried out by hand in small 12-kilogram crates to preserve the integrity of the grapes. Double sorting, first in the vineyard and then in the cellar, ensures optimal berry selection. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled vats, with gentle extraction favoring finesse. Aloxe-Corton 2020 is aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, in the historic cellars of the Château de Beaune, which offer ideal temperature and humidity conditions.

Grape variety

Pinot noir.