The 2012 Beaune Clos Saint Landry sees 10 to 12 months in barrel of which 10% are new. It has more vigor and complexity than the Beaune du Chateau Blanc, with smoke and walnut lining the aromatics. The palate has a touch of peach and apricot on the entry. There is more body here than the aforementioned Beaune with a caressing, slightly creamy finish. Fine. Drink now-2018.
Although I tasted the wines of this Burgundy grand maison in London, I spent a morning with winemaker Philippe Prost to go through at least part of their large portfolio to get an insight into Bouchard Pere & Fils. Ever since Michel Bouchard established the house in 1731, it has been a permanent fixture in Burgundy, surviving seizure by the State after the Revolution, phylloxera, two World Wars and periods when the world simply was uninterested in Burgundy. Today they own 130 hectares of vines, more than any Bordeaux chateau, including 12 grand crus and 74 premier crus.
Importer: Henriot Inc. and John E. Fells in the UK.