Bouchard Père et Fils Volnay 1er Cru “Taillepieds”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This Volnay comes from the Taillepieds Premier Cru, a mid-slope, southeast-facing parcel in Volnay on Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, with light brown clay, abundant pebbles, and a limestone subsoil.
- Named for the small, sharp pebbles that once made working the soil especially difficult for vineyard workers.
- Known among Volnay’s Premier Crus for wines of unusual mineral precision and firmness.
- Shows real aging potential, built to reward extended cellaring.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: The grapes are hand-harvested in small cases and carefully sorted by hand before total or partial destemming. Fermentation takes place in small containers with gentle pressing, with vatting lasting 15–20 days depending on the vintage. The wine is aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak.
Tasting Notes: Deep red in color, with aromas of red fruit, violet, and mineral notes. Full-bodied and structured on the palate, with fine tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish.
PRESS
2018 – 91-93 Wine Advocate | 89-91 Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Founded in 1731, Maison Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest wine merchant houses. Over the centuries, the House has been devoted to acquiring highly renowned parcels, in order to build a prestigious domaine: 130 hectares of Crus. The famed vineyards include: Beaune Grèves Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus, Chevalier-Montrachet, Montrachet, Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Bonnes-Mares and Clos Vougeot to name a few. In 1995 this exceptional collection was purchased by Joseph Henriot, and is today part of Maisons & Domaines Henriot. Maison Bouchard Père & Fils has invested in the vine to bottle, the process is handled with meticulous care, to ensure the most faithful expression of each terroir. Installed since the beginning of the 19th century on the site of the ancient Châteaude Beaune, Maison Bouchard Père & Fils uses the underground galleries and bastions of this fortress built by LuisXI, 10 meters below ground, for the slow maturing of its wines under optimal conditions. Millions of bottles, including a rare collection of pre-phylloxera wines rest in the cellars today protected by 7 meter thick walls.