Wines Beaune Bouchard Père & Fils - Beaune du Château - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Château Premier Cru 2022 Blanc is an exquisite expression of Côte de Beaune Chardonnay. This particular cuvée is composed entirely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from various Premier Cru parcels within the Beaune appellation, showcasing a harmonious blend of the distinct terroirs that Bouchard Père & Fils meticulously selects. The 2022 vintage benefitted from a warm spring and summer, allowing for optimal ripening and vibrant fruit character. Vinification is traditional, with fermentation in both stainless steel and oak barrels, followed by ageing on fine lees, which imparts complexity and finesse while preserving the wine’s fresh minerality and precise structure.

The Côte de Beaune, in the heart of Bourgogne, is renowned for its limestone-rich soils and gentle slopes, which provide exceptional drainage and encourage the development of nuanced aromas and brisk acidity in Chardonnay. The region experiences a semi-continental climate, with warm summers and cool, crisp springs and autumns, favouring a slow, steady ripening process. With a winemaking history dating back centuries, Beaune is a benchmark for fine white Burgundy, and Premier Cru sites here are particularly prized for their elegance and aging potential.

For food pairings, this wine’s balance and vibrant acidity make it remarkably versatile. It shines alongside classic Bourgogne dishes such as quenelles de brochet, delicate vol-au-vent, or, more simply, a creamy chicken in tarragon sauce. Seafood, particularly scallops, langoustines, or dover sole in beurre blanc, also make excellent companions. Its subtle oak notes and mineral core suit creamy cheeses like Chaource or Brie de Meaux.

To fully appreciate its aromas of white flowers, pear, citrus, and hints of toasted almond and vanilla, serve this Beaune du Château Premier Cru 2022 Blanc at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. Decanting is not necessary, but allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass will reveal its layered complexity. While already expressive, it will continue to evolve beautifully in bottle over the next 5 to 8 years.