In 1820, Bernard Bouchard acquired the illustrious Château de Beaune, a former royal fortress erected in the 15th century by King Louis XI. Remarkably, four of the original five towers and sections of the ancient ramparts still grace the estate today, proudly listed as historic monuments since 1937.
Beneath the château's grounds lie deep cellars, providing an optimal natural environment for the refinement of Bouchard Père & Fils' esteemed wines. Delving up to 10 meters underground, these cellars foster undisturbed aging, nurturing a unique collection of over 2,000 bottles dating back to the 19th century. Among them shines a priceless gem: a Meursault Charmes 1846, its brilliance undiminished by time.
Through meticulous acquisition of esteemed terroirs, Bouchard Père & Fils has burgeoned into the largest domaine in the Côte d’Or. Today, the estate encompasses 130 hectares of vineyards, boasting 12 Grand Cru and 74 Premier Cru classifications.
An enchanting tale surrounds one of the appellations: Charlemagne's affection for Le Corton's red wine led to the planting of Chardonnay vines on south-facing slopes to produce a white wine, preserving the emperor's pristine beard. In 1909, Bouchard Pere & Fils acquired 60% of the prestigious Le Corton vineyard, uniquely planted with both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
With 3.65 hectares, Bouchard Pere & Fils proudly stands as the third-largest proprietor in Corton-Charlemagne, perpetuating a legacy of exceptional winemaking.
There are vague Chablis-like elements on the nose of green apple, petrol, just sliced citrus, iodine and quinine. The rich, dense and exceptionally powerful big-bodied flavors manage to retain a certain refinement while delivering superb length on the balanced, bone-dry and stony finish. This moderately austere effort is also seriously good and has the structure to repay 12 to 15 years of keeping. In a word, excellent. (from a huge 3.65 ha plot in Le Corton) 2033+