The Wine Advocate | RP 91-93
Published: Jan 31, 2023

The 2021 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus offers up aromas of sweet raspberries, peonies, orange zest and warm spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate that's seamless and complete, with melting tannins, bright acids and a long, mouthwatering finish.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 95
Published: Jul 24, 2024

Here’s a deep and complex 2021 Beaune 1er Cru with stacks of dark earthy complexity as well as abundant red fruit character and a touch of smoky oak. The serious tannin structure engages the turbo, driving the wine relentlessly forward on the ample palate. Excellent freshness, too. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Bouchard-pereetfils.com

"La Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus" is one of the oldest and most prestigious jewels of the Domaine’s crown. Acquired in 1791, this 3.91 hectare plot, located in the heart of the Beaune Les Grèves appellation, is an exclusive of Bouchard Père & Fils.

During a sale of national assets in 1791, Bouchard Père & Fils bid for the vineyard, located in the heart of the 32-hectare BEAUNE PREMIER CRU Les Grèves. The domain remains its sole owner to this day.

Grape variety: Pinot noir
Soil: Clayey, sandy limestone
Exposure: East / South-East
Surface area: 3,92 hectares

Terroir
— Loose limestone rock, very gravelly soil, almost sandy, preserving the vines from water stress.
— With a bedrock depth of 70/80 cm, roots penetrate deep into the subsoil, embed- ding themselves in underground cracks.
— Mid-slope location: ideal setting for a perfectly balanced soil (avoiding both excess moisture and excessive dryness).
— With a 15% slope, the rainfall from the hillside nourishes the soil and trickles without stagnation.

Tasting
— THE COLOUR is still vivid without being too intense.
— THE NOSE reveals a unique blend of aromas combining very ripe black and red fruit tinged with subtle fresh leather notes.
— THE MOUTH, displays the same aromas of fruit and leather combined with notes of wood and spice. The attack remains very fresh, offering great intensity, leading to a remarkably silky and soft finish.The silky quality lingers mingling with a vibration that distinguishes this unique wine from all others. This fruitiness, the silky texture, and hints of fresh leather truly embody the essence of the terroir.

Expertise
— HARVESTS: Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus is among our first plots harvested each year. Hand-harvested in 13 kg crates, the grapes are then meticulously sorted by our teams.
— VINIFICATION: Cold maceration at the outset of vatting for a few days, followed by fermentation and extraction with treading. Daily monitoring of progress through tasting and musts analysis. Devatting after 18 to 20 days. Vertical press.
— AGEING: 16 to 20 months in French oak barrels. 35 to 40% of new barrels. The remainder consists of previ- ously used barrels. Manual racking to blend the different subparcels when ageing is complete.
— MATURATION: The bottles are preserved in optimal conditions in underground cellars until they are released for sale.