The 2012 Beaune 1er Cru Les Teurons comes from two conjoining parcels, when lending mineralite and the other the richness. It sees around 25% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet with mulberry and raspberry notes that is rounded and smooth, the oak needing a few more months to fully integrate. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth entry. This feels very harmonious with no hard edges and glides toward the soft landing on the finish. Perhaps it needs a little more tension, but you could imagine finishing a bottle sooner than you think.
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.