The Bouchard Pre & Fils Beaune 1er Cru Les Grves Vigne de l\’Enfant Jsus 2021 impresses with its deep complexity and balance. A serious wine with earthy depth, vibrant red fruit, and subtle smoky oak, it features a structured tannin profile that drives the wine forward on the palate. Bright freshness complements its fleshy texture, while aromas of sweet raspberries, peonies, and orange zest add allure. Aged in 35-40% new oak, this wine will continue to develop and is best enjoyed from 2025 onwards. Its seamless character and mouthwatering finish highlight its exceptional terroir.

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

Heres 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.

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

The 2021 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grves 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.

Bouchard-pereetfils.com

\”La Vigne de lEnfant Jsus\” is one of the oldest and most prestigious jewels of the Domaines crown. Acquired in 1791, this 3.91 hectare plot, located in the heart of the Beaune Les Grves appellation, is an exclusive of Bouchard Pre & Fils.

During a sale of national assets in 1791, Bouchard Pre & Fils bid for the vineyard, located in the heart of the 32-hectare BEAUNE PREMIER CRU Les Grves. 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 Jesus 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.