Dinner at Bouchard

This memorable dinner was held at Bouchard on October 29th, 2008. I am finally adding the TNs to CT. The following is written by Herwig Janssen.
“This certainly ranks among my most memorable wine experiences in my life . Under the supervision of our GJE President Francois Mauss , fellow board members Wilfred Van Gorp , Kevin Shin and I were the lucky ones to be invited at the chateau de Beaune , owned by Bouchard Pere et Fils . This is a 11th century fortress , with walls about 4 meters thick . The temperature is an ideal 11 % C. all year around with 90 % humidity . The cellar houses a couple of million bottles and also has more than 3000 bottles of the 19th century . Since the beginning of the 20th century , they have started a program to replace the corks every 25 years and to sacrifice a bottle when there was some evaporation . They claim that almost all the 19th century bottles are from only the best vintages and are still in pristine condition . This is by far the most spectacular wine cellar in the world . Mr. Henriot , current owner , decided to continue this program for the next generation and routinely keeps thousands of bottles from top vintages like 1999 and 2005 for consumption in the 22nd century . Bravo !”

• 1995 Henriot Champagne Cuvée des Enchanteleurs Brut 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  Nicely matured with fine mousse. It was served slightly cold but still showed nice fruit concentration.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  The nose shows beeswax a la white graves, then seashell, mineral, lime stone, white flower, pear and white peach. The recent Bouchard, 2001 and on, Corton Charlemagnes tend to show much greater fruit concentration where this with great mineral quality, bright acidity and delineation reminded me Dauvissat Les Clos as the night went on. Phillipe, the wine maker in charge, explained that Bouchard’s CC is located on the top of the vineyard with eastern exposition, the tete cuvee of all CCs. This is very food friendly wine that is so perfectly balanced, I could quaff a whole bottle. A burgundy lovers Corton Chalemagne!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1948 Bouchard Père et Fils Chevalier-Montrachet 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

  Roberto was right on with his Gorgonzola comment. Mint, honey with lighter palate expression but I thought it will gain weight and sweetness with air and it did. I love old white wines from Graves and Burgundy and this don’t disappoint. Beautiful bright golden color. The nose shows burnt sugar, rosemary, tea, chestnut, caramel and orange peel. As the night went on it got sweeter showing lovely crème caramel. Lovely wine, the palate is quite delicate, good contrast to very complex sweet crème caramel driven nose.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1928 Bouchard Père et Fils Chambertin 98 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin Grand Cru

  Still opaque in the center, baked fruit, clearly showing complex nose that only comes from a great old wine. Sour cherry, fruitcake, grapy, anise, menthol, slight hint of scorched earth and cep. The palate shows the beautiful interplay of fully matured highly concentrated fruit and very highly toned acidity. As one can expect from a wine this old, nice chestnut and balsamico at the end note. Extremely long finish and still showing noticeable tannin, 80 years old Burgundy should not be so damn concentrated and tannic. Although, it was clear to all of us that that is nothing ‘funny’ happened to this wine.
  
  We were served two bottles of this wine. Stephane preferred the first bottle of its freshness, expressive nose and great mouthfeel. On the other hand, I loved the second bottle.
  
  Both, great wines, the first bottle, fresher expression of a great Chambertin where the second bottle is the essence of great old wine, not great burgundy but a great wine. I felt this was like drinking an old Monfortino, so sweet, bright and pure although the expression is quite dark. 97pts and 98 pts respectively.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1865 Bouchard Père et Fils Clos Vougeot 100 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  I wish I am able to fully share my experience but… Everything is there. Although I have experienced the pre 1870s only three times, all had very similar expression. Very complete, perfectly seamless, perfectly balanced and infinite finish. This is the essence of wine, there is no beginning and there is no end, alpha and omega of wine.
  
  This is a spiritual experience. Perfect!

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

I have never heard of the wine but it was great.

1859 Malaga.
I imagined 150 years old Chambers liquor. Molasses so thick yet so light due to piercing acidity a la Madeira. Just lovely stuff that I bet some of my friends will go crazy. 98 pts.

Truly memorable evening. My thanks goes to Bouchard!