Bouchard Père & Fils : Beaune 1er cru "Marconnets" Domaine 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Beaune 1er cru "Marconnets" Domaine 2018 from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a bright scarlet hue with shimmering highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals beautiful aromatic complexity, with notes of ripe red and black fruits, accompanied by hints of undergrowth and humus. Pronounced animal nuances lend an earthy character, while aromas of musk and refined oak harmoniously complete the ensemble.

Palate

The attack is forthright, with fine vitality and remarkable poise. Structured yet elegant tannins provide a pleasing, grainy texture that carries across the palate without drying it out. The mid-palate shows striking density, with concentrated fruit wrapped in a silky tannic framework. Bright, natural acidity maintains balance and brings a lasting freshness. The finish stands out for its exceptional length, with well-integrated oak notes that gently surface without ever overshadowing the expression of the terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Beaune 1er cru "Marconnets" Domaine 2018 pairs beautifully with roasted red meats such as lamb or beef. It also makes a remarkable match with feathered game such as wild duck, partridge, or woodcock. Veal kidneys in sauce, braised rabbit, as well as aged cheeses like Camembert or Brie make excellent companions for this wine.

Serving and cellaring

The Beaune 1er cru "Marconnets" Domaine 2018 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 16 to 17° C. Aeration for around thirty minutes to one hour allows the wine to open up and the tannins to soften. This vintage has remarkable aging potential and will reach its peak after an additional 5 to 10 years of cellar aging.

A generous, structured Beaune Premier Cru from an exceptional vintage

The estate

Founded in 1731 in Beaune by Michel Bouchard, the Bouchard Père & Fils House is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most prestigious estates. The domaine now spans 98.7 hectares across 77 climats, nearly three-quarters of which are classified as Premier or Grand Cru. Acquired in September 2022 by Artémis Domaines, François Pinault’s company, the estate is undergoing a major restructuring. Certified organic in 2025, the domaine is committing to biodynamic farming as early as 2026.

The vineyard

The Climat des Marconnets lies to the north of the Beaune appellation, overlooking the town at its northernmost edge. This terroir stretches over a little more than 9 hectares at an average altitude between 220 and 230 meters. The geological substratum consists mainly of clay-limestone soils with marl, a combination that gives the wine its distinctive minerality. This soil composition, marked by a substantial presence of white marl and limestone, forces the vine to develop deep roots, thereby intensifying the concentration of flavorful components in the clusters.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage stands out as one of the most exceptional years of the decade in Burgundy. Winter is characterized by abundant water, enabling the vine to build substantial reserves. Spring brings sunshine well above seasonal norms with reduced rainfall, encouraging perfect flowering. A particularly hot, dry summer allows the grapes to complete ripening well ahead of the usual schedule. Harvesting begins on August 20, exceptionally early, with grapes arriving at the press in outstanding health, with no significant rot.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking for the Beaune 1er cru "Marconnets" Domaine 2018 begins with meticulous sorting of the grapes at harvest. Cellar work favors balanced extraction. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with 25% new oak, the remaining portions coming from previously used barrels. This measured approach allows the terroir to fully express itself while bringing beneficial oxidative complexity and tannic richness.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.