The Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Premier Cru Les Bouchères 2020 showcases a complex bouquet of citrus zest, white flowers, mandarin orange, and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, with depth and a lively, penetrating character, it finishes with promising grip. A rich wine, well-balanced with flavors of dry fruit and brioche. This Premier Cru, grown in chalky and marl soils, is known for its smoothness, roundness, and strength. Best enjoyed now or with a few years of aging.

Inside Burgundy | IB 91-94
Published: Oct, 2023
Drink: 2028-2034

The exception to the Bouchères rule expressed by Messieurs Lafon and Roulot in that Bouchard does not pick this early. It was harvested on the same day as Porusots and Gouttes d’Or. An attractive pale lemon and lime colour. Nothing too exuberant here. A little riper at the finish but still with a predominant fresh apple acidity. Excellent length. Drink from 2028-2034. Tasted Oct 2023 by Jasper Morris MW.

The Wine Advocate | RP 91-93
Published: Jan 20, 2022

Notes of citrus zest, white flowers, freshly baked bread and mandarin orange introduce the 2020 Meursault 1er Cru Les Bouchères, a medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy wine that's lively and penetrating, concluding with promising grip on the finish.

Technical director Frédéric Weber and his team have realized another fine vintage chez Bouchard Père & Fils, beginning harvest on 19 August and sorting to remove dehydrated berries. The vineyards fared well despite a significant hydric deficit, testimony to viticulture that's among the best of the big houses; indeed, organic conversion is underway, and canopies are now hedged to 1.30 meters, around 30 centimeters higher than the classic low rognage that still predominates along the Côte—forward-thinking innovations that will no doubt find imitators in short order among other big players. In any case, the resulting wines have turned out beautifully, with alcohols in the region of 13% to 13.5% and lower pHs than in 2019. Vibrant, intensely colored and beautifully balanced, there are plenty of cuvées here that I'd be delighted to own. White wines chez Bouchard, readers should note, are bottled under DIAM closures.

Bouchard-pereetfils.com

Bouchard Pere & Fils farms some 38 ares of this appellation which was classed ' Tete de Cuvee' as early as 1855. The sub-soil, with chalk and marl is similar to that of Genevrieres and Les Gouttes d'Or. Situated above Le Porusot, this Premier Cru is usually smoother than its neighbour, developing roundness and strength.  

TASTING NOTE: Bright pale gold color. Rich and complex bouquet developing flavours or dry fruit and brioche. Well-balanced  on the mouth. A nice wine. 

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: DIAM Cork
Harvest: 19 August 2020
Oak: 12 months in French oak barrels, 10–15% new oak, followed by 6 months in stainless steel
Varietals: Chardonnay 100%
Skin Contact: Whole-bunch pressing with gentle extraction
Winemaker: Frédéric Weber
Region: Meursault Premier Cru, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy

Serving Temperature: 11–14°C
Decanting: Not required; 15–20 minutes in the glass
Food Pairing: Scallops, langoustines, lobster, fish in creamy sauces, roast poultry, foie gras and fresh soft cheeses