Domaine Bouard-Bonnefoy is a family-run estate that is based in Chassagne-Montrachet. They own five hectares of incredible parcels across Chassagne-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin, and Puligny-Montrachet. Owner and winemaker, Fabrice, and his wife, Carine, are fifth-generation winemakers for the family domaine. After a tour in the military, Fabrice returned to the family business in 2006 and began crafting and domaine-bottling his wines without the influence of négociants. He has stayed true to tradition in the fields as well as the cellar. Their plots are plowed and tended without herbicides, and they practice “lutte raisonnée” farming, which translates to “reasoned fight.” This method of farming utilizes only organic products and practices unless an extreme circumstance presents itself in a difficult vintage. Harvest is strictly conducted by hand with meticulous care.

The family’s small, charmingly antiquated winery feels like stepping back in time as you descend the cellar steps. Fabrice continues to utilize a hand-cranked wooden press as well as a bottling line where the family bottles, corks, and labels each wine by hand. Wines are fermented with only natural yeasts and aged without the overt influence of new oak. The domaine produces just over twenty barrels each year, but what they lack in size they more than makeup for in incredible quality and attention to detail. The result is a classic style that is refreshingly reductive – the opposite of oxidized. For those of you who love the great wines of Montrachet, this rare beauty will delight you for an outstanding price for the quality found in the bottle. 

The 2019 Chassagne-Montrachet displays a light golden straw yellow core with green hues on the rim. The fresh, floral nose reveals classic aromas of creamy yellow apple, white peach, freshly cut Bosc pear, lemon pith and lime blossom laced with white button mushroom, honeycomb, fresh white flowers, a touch of hazelnut. This complex wine also has aromas of crushed rocks, a touch of oyster shell and wet limestone above a subtle hint of baking spices from the judiciously light use of new oak. Once this wine opens and rises in temperature, the near full-bodied wine is expansive with mouth-coating texture and rich with concentrated, delineating flavors only the Côte de Beaune can deliver. Although this wine is simply a delight to consume now, it will hit a stunning sweet spot in another 3-5 year and should hit its peak 2018-2020 and beyond if kept well. To enjoy a bottle now, simply pull from the fridge and decant for 60-90 minutes and serve just a touch above cellar temperature in Burgundy stems. Temperature is key, as the wine warms a touch warmer the wine will show its true personality. Do not simply pop and pour from the cold refrigerator or the wine will be closed. For a great pairing, prepare this Fish and Mushroom dish.