Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils - 2005 En Primeur
Two scintillating tastings with Bouchard, one in their brand new cellars in August and another in the historic Château de Beaune in November, has allowed us to follow the evolution of their terrific 2005s. Highlights were many. On the whites, we rated the two Meursault 1er crus amongst the best we have tasted here and whilst spoilt for choice in Grand Cru, the Chevalier was utterly captivating whilst the Cabotte offered the most intrigue. In red, we fell head over heels for the Chapelle Chambertin, a much undervalued Grand Cru and feel that the Chambertin Clos de Bèze will run anyone close for the winner’s spoils. We have been saying for some time that Bouchard is well and truly back and in 2005, we see even further evidence of a domaine on a quality crusade.
2006 Burgundy En Primeur selection from Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils
All prices are quoted In Bond unless otherwise stated
White Wines
Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières (Dom) 2005
Glossy textures, hints of lime, nectarine and apricot and a delicious stony, mineral finish. A perfectly substantial but refreshing Meursault. Drink from 2009.
Price per case in bond £310 - SOLD OUT
Meursault 1er Cru Perrières (Dom) 2005
Rich and bursting with flavours, superb minerality across a broad palate that also boasts citrus fruit. Fantastic energy and great length. Warming finish. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £325 - SOLD OUT
Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru (Dom) 2005
Incredibly expressive already, a beautiful elegant wine exuding notes of orange peel, apricots, ginger bread and peach. Perfect balance between the finesse of a top Chevalier and the richness of the vintage. Stunning. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £1,150 - SOLD OUT
Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru (Dom) 2005
Even in a Domaine as well-appointed as Bouchard there are a few particularly tiny holdings. The micro-cuvée of Bâtard is one such but those lucky enough to come by a bottle or two have a treat in store with its generous, strutting style and polished air of excellence. Drink from 2011.
Price per case in bond £580 per 6 bottles - SOLD OUT
Le Montrachet Grand Cru (Dom) 2005
As is often the way with young Montrachet, this is expressing itself more in terms of potential at this stage. A serious thinker's wine, multi-layered and with terrific concentration of fruit. Its conservative nature will require some gentle coaxing but the rewards promise to be truly significant. Drink from 2012.
Price per case in bond £2,100 - SOLD OUT
Chevalier Montrachet La Cabotte Grand Cru (Dom) 2005
A Bouchard speciality this is a more powerful expression of Chevalier. Dense and tightly wound with notes of lemon sherbet and tropical fruit. It will need a few years to be really open out and express itself but there is enormous promise here. Drink from 2012.
Price per case in bond £2,250 - SOLD OUT
Red Wines
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots (Dom) 2005
A wine of scale, richness and increasing power, this emanates the healthy glow of perfectly ripe fruit encased in a well-toned body. Impressive stuff. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £525 - SOLD OUT
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts (Dom) 2005
Rich, opulent and dense cassis and morello cherry fruit. Really expressive and confident. Gorgeous, glossy polished fruit. Real sense of quality. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £550 - SOLD OUT
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots Dom du Ch de Vosne Romanée 2005
Sweet black cherry fruit with a smart, long finish and elegant, silky textures. High floral notes and a little perfume complete an attractive ensemble. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £590 - SOLD OUT
Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru 2005
A terrific wine, this has a lovely wild fruit character, a pretty, savoury edge and the sweet fragrance of violets. Round, fleshy and generous, medium weight and a fine, delineated finish. Drink from 2010.
Price per case in bond £800 - SOLD OUT
Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2005
A wine of high class, this has perfect definition and a precise delivery. Fresh, vigourous and building in intensity with its liqueur and wild strawberry fruit, this is tremendously complex and demands time to truly show what it's made of. Drink from 2013.
Price per case in bond £1,150 - SOLD OUT
Echézeaux Grand Cru (Dom) 2005
A sweet, dark compôte of brambly fruit with clove, pepper and a touch of leather. Impressive tannic structure and surprising sense of scale. Drink from 2012.
Price per case in bond £1,550 - SOLD OUT
Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (Dom) 2005
Broad, confident, finely tuned and masculine, this has a very pure note of griotte, abundant supple tannin and a tremendous length. Drink from 2013.
Price per case in bond £650 per 6 bottles - SOLD OUT
Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru 2005
Price per case in bond £1,090 add to basket
La Romanée Grand Cru Dom du Ch de Vosne Romanée 2005
The last cuvée ever of La Romanée before it reverts to the Ligier-Belair ownership, this is a fitting finale. Licquorice and rose petals introduce the nose, whilst the palate is a silky, refined mix of the most delicate tannins and a sensual, voloptuous body. The wine is balance personified, has abundant complexity and has sinmply nothing out of place. Drink from 2013.
Price per case in bond £3,900 - SOLD OUT
