2018 Bouchard Pere et Fils, Volnay 1er Cru “Taillepieds”
Founded in 1731, Bouchard Père & Fils helped write the historical playbook for fine Burgundy, anchoring its reputation in the Côte de Beaune through an incredible collection of top-tier Premier and Grand Cru sites. In Volnay, their domain holdings in "Taillepieds"—a steep, gravelly amphitheater famed for its white limestone soils—yield what many purists consider the village's quintessential Grand Cru-slayer. This pristine 2018 release shows the sheer brilliance of proper cellar patience; six years of undisturbed rest have allowed its tight youthful structure to unfurl completely. In the glass, it radiates with aromas of spiced black cherry, exotic tea, orange peel, and dried rose petals, backed by an electric, chiseled mineral core. The palate is weightless yet intensely concentrated, wrapping ripe dark fruit around a fine-grained, limestone-driven frame that finishes long, vibrant, and incredibly sophisticated.
Critical Acclaim:
91 -93 Points, Allen Meadows, Burghound:
"Very generous wood influence again stops just short of dominating the more floral-suffused aromas of spiced black cherry, exotic tea and a whiff of very ripe plum. The middle weight flavors possess a slightly finer texture that brims with evident minerality on the bright, youthfully austere and chiseled finish. This too is going to require extended patience. 'Sweet spot/Outstanding,'" - Allen Meadows 4/20
Why You'll Love It
Benchmark Volnay Terroir: Sourced from "Taillepieds," widely celebrated as one of the single greatest Premier Cru sites in the entire Côte de Beaune.
Flawless Provenance & Age: Resting quietly in temperature-controlled storage since its initial release, this 2018 has hit an extraordinary window where primary fruit and early tertiary complexity harmoniously meet.
Historic Producer Pedigree: Crafted by one of Burgundy's foundational houses, offering classic Burgundian restraint, laser-like precision, and immense cellar longevity.
How To Serve It
Ideal Temperature: Serve slightly cool at 58°F–62°F (14°C–16°C) in wide-bowled Burgundy stems.
Decanting: Give it a 45-to-60-minute decant to let the floral and spice aromatics bloom.
Food Pairing: Phenomenal alongside herb-crusted rack of lamb, duck breast with cherry reduction, roasted quail, or wild mushroom risotto.
Country
France
Region
Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
Sub-Region
Volnay
Soil
Calcareous clay
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
Pinot Noir
Alcohol
13.5
OAK
Aged 14 months in French oak barrels (typically 30% to 40% new oak, with the remainder in neutral barrels).
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