VOUGEOT PREMIER CRU > BOUCHARD Ainé & Fils

VOUGEOT PREMIER CRU 2018

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2018

Varietal

100% Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes

Colour: Deep ruby red with violet tints.

Bouquet: The aromas are reminiscent of berries such as Morello cherry and blackcurrant, accompanied by a floral note, violet and a hint of undergrowth mixed with truffle.

Palate: In the mouth, we have a solid structure, with fruity and liquorice flavours. Tannins are present but elegant and well integrated. This wine shows both strength and great elegance.

Food and wine pairing

This great wine is ideal served with meat stews, small and large game, goose and soft cheeses. A must served with dark chocolate cake for dessert.

Serving suggestions

Serve at around 15°C. (59°F).

Ageing potential

6 to 8 years.

Origins

The name Vougeot immediately calls up the name of that famous vineyard, the Clos de Vougeot. But this village of the Côte de Nuits has other fine vineyards. The name itself derives from the little river Vouge. The powerful abbey of Cîteaux established the vineyards there in the 12th century and laid the foundations of their long brilliant reputation. Their claim to fame is due at least partly to the fact that, rather unusually for the Côte de Nuits, Vougeot produces white wines (Chardonnay) as well as red (Pinot Noir). The appellation was formally instituted in 1936.

The vines grow at altitudes between 240 and 280 metres. Those on the upper slopes occupy shallow brown limestone soils. The soils on the lower slopes are limestones, fine-textured marls, and clays. These plots lie very close to the northern part of the Clos de Vougeot.

Vinification and maturing

The harvest is totally destemmed and undergoes 4 to 5 days of cold maceration before fermentation. Punching down and pumping over are carried out daily. The wine is aged in casks for 15-18 months (50% new oak).

Vintage : 2018

Once again, the 2018 vintage in Burgundy offered the vision scenario of an early harvest. It was already the case in 2017, and 2018 was even earlier! This vintage comes in the earliest harvest palmares compare to the norm (around the 20th of September) and come just in the second place after the unforgettable 2003 vintage when harvest between the 20 and the 25th of August in the Côte d’Or department.

All along the year 2018, the weather was very diverse, even atypical according to the month and the area. After a rainy start in the year, the spring period was very summery with sunshine above the seasonal norms and quite scarce rain.

This trend continued until the harvest with a very hot and dry summer, this allowed the grapes to finish their maturation early. Harvest started on the 20th of August and lasted until the third week of September… a particularly long amplitude.

At least quality is here for this 2018 vintage, but also quantity. Grapes arrived to the winery with a perfect state of health. Concentrated, structured, generous, rich and powerful are some of the adjectives that characterize this magnificent vintage.