Bouchard Père & Fils : Clos Vougeot Grand cru 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for Bouchard Père & Fils Clos Vougeot 2018

Tasting

Color

This Grand Cru reveals a deep ruby hue with intense garnet highlights.

Nose

The bouquet shows fine aromatic complexity, with notes of red and black fruit (cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry) alongside spicy nuances of cinnamon and white pepper. Floral touches of violet and rose mingle with tertiary aromas reminiscent of forest floor and wet stone, while the aging brings subtle vanilla and toasty notes.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays a medium- to full-bodied structure, combining finesse and character. Flavors of cherry, blackcurrant, and raspberry lead the way, enhanced by peppery and licorice notes. The tannic framework is refined and silky, offering fine firmness without aggressiveness. Balanced acidity brings freshness and vibrancy, while a mineral, saline dimension emerges mid-palate. The finish, slightly austere in its youth, lingers with elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Clos Vougeot 2018 pairs perfectly with roasted red meats, feathered or furred game, as well as braised lamb. It also matches well with mushroom-based dishes and soft washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses or Langres.

Serving and cellaring

Clos Vougeot 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for about an hour before serving allows the wine to fully open up. This vintage can be cellared, with an optimal drinking window extending from 2025 to 2043.

A full-bodied and elegant Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

Founded in 1731 in Beaune by textile merchant Michel Bouchard, the House of Bouchard Père & Fils gradually turned toward the wine trade before acquiring its first vineyards in 1775 in Volnay. Now owned by Artémis Domaines (François Pinault) since 2022, the estate farms around 130 hectares in Burgundy, spread across 77 climats of the Côte d'Or, 75% of which are classified as Premier Cru or Grand Cru. The entire vineyard has been certified organic since 2025 and has begun its conversion to biodynamics.

The vineyard

Clos Vougeot is one of Burgundy’s most legendary vineyards, established nearly nine centuries ago by the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Cîteaux. Classified as Grand Cru in 1937, this 50.59-hectare east-facing vineyard stretches between the communes of Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny. The Bouchard Père & Fils parcel, acquired in 1996, enjoys a privileged position behind the château on gently sloping land at around 250 meters above sea level. The soils form a complex clay-limestone mosaic over Jurassic limestone bedrock, offering excellent sun exposure.

The vintage

The year 2018 in Burgundy began with an exceptionally wet winter and spring, with rainfall far above historical averages, thereby replenishing excellent water reserves. Summer then proved particularly hot and dry, accelerating grape ripening. This climatic alternation required great vigilance both in the vineyard and in the cellar. September conditions enabled the Vosne-Romanée parcels to reach optimal phenolic maturity while preserving freshness. The 2018 vintage produced structured, aromatic, and balanced red wines with excellent aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

The Clos Vougeot 2018 grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Vinification takes place in small open vats with a proportion of whole clusters, using indigenous yeasts for fermentation. Maceration and fermentation unfold over a period of two to three weeks. Aging continues for 16 to 20 months in French oak barrels, around 30% of which are new, allowing for harmonious integration of oaky aromas.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.