Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault 1er Cru 'Genevrières' 2022 is a prestigious white Burgundy sourced from the historic Côte de Beaune region in France.

The name 'Genevrières' is derived from the juniper trees (genévriers) that historically surrounded this specific vineyard site. Bouchard Père et Fils holds a significant presence here, owning roughly 1.85 to 2.65 hectares across two distinct parcels—one situated on the steep, thin soils of the upper slope and another in the deeper soils below. The estate's winemaking philosophy combines meticulous manual harvesting with gravity-flow production and aging in the natural, constant environment of the Bastions cellars at the former Château de Beaune.

Wine Description

This 2022 Premier Cru is a vibrant, medium- to full-bodied Chardonnay that balances characteristic Meursault richness with remarkable precision. It unfurls with a complex bouquet of pear, white flowers, fresh hazelnuts, and ripe citrus. On the palate, the wine is satiny and fleshy, exhibiting a core of concentrated fruit balanced by a lively acidity. It is notably racy and round, featuring a fine woody finish and a distinct, persistent minerality.

The wine is crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes that are organically grown and hand-harvested in small crates. The vinification process involves whole-bunch pressing and aging for 16 to 20 months in French oak casks, with approximately 25% to 30% new oak depending on the specific vintage requirements. The 2022 vintage typically reaches an ABV of approximately 13% to 14.5% and possesses an aging potential of 8 to 10 years.

Accolades

• 96 James Suckling: 'Beautiful nose of white flowers and lemon jelly. The creamy-dreamy front of the medium- to full-bodied palate doesn't let you move on, but when you do the interplay of chalky minerality with richness is stunning. And right at the end the wine's stony side and an exciting touch of grapefruit bitterness show themselves beautifully. From two blocks that are 2.6 hectares in total. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.'

• 95 Tim Atkin: 'This is the first Premier Cru in the Bouchard stable to ripen in Meursault. There are two parcels—one above and one below the fault line, and there is usually a two-day difference in their harvest dates. This is beautifully ripe and delectable juice with a smooth and creamy texture covering the mid-weight palate. The flavors range from lemon oil, Granny Smith apples and tapioca to tree blooms and celery seed.'

• 94 Decanter: 'This classic expression of Genevrières has all the richness and buttery notes that a traditional Meursault lover will appreciate. Still, there is a complexity to the fruit aromas as well, with notes of grapefruit, passionfruit, and citrus peel. Despite the broad density on the palate, a lively acidity brings everything into balance and finishes very long on the palate. The grapes are from two parcels in Genevrières, and another in Dessous; more than a hectare of the Bouchard vines here had to be grubbed up due to issues with the 161-49 rootstock.'

Food Pairing

The richness and sophisticated structure of this Premier Cru make it an ideal accompaniment for fine fish dishes served in creamy sauces or prepared 'en papillote'. It pairs elegantly with shellfish, smoked salmon, snail puff pastry, and foie gras. For a cheese course, it perfectly complements fresh cow's milk cheeses or a well-aged piece of Comté.

Vintage Quality

The 2022 vintage in Burgundy is regarded as excellent, characterized by a growing season that achieved full phenolic ripeness despite searing summer heat and drought conditions. Cool nights throughout the season helped retain essential acidity, preventing high alcohol levels from overwhelming the fruit. The resulting white wines are described as balanced, honest, and high-quality, with healthy yields that provided a welcome relief to the region.