2012 Grèves Vigne Enfant Jésus
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vignes de l'Enfant Jesus has a crisp, tensile bouquet that seems to show more freshness and vitality than its peers. There are bright red cherries mixed with damson and citrus fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well judged acidity. The oak is well integrated and there is plenty of freshness and tension on the finish. This is one of the best Beaune Grèves of the vintage.
Critic scores
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Full medium red. Highly aromatic nose combines redcurrant, black raspberry, mellow spices, leather, menthol, smoke and candied flowers. Sweet, pliant and deep, offering a fine-grained texture and a touch of medicinal reserve to its black raspberry and spice flavors. Finishes suave and firm, with lingering sweetness and a firm spine for mid-term aging.
Tame nose but it really comes through on the palate – crunchy fruit, tender tannins, lots of floral character. Some bitter juniper notes, but not in a negative way. Good – but can’t be called good value. (RH)
(25% vendange entier; these vines were the first to be picked along with the Teurons, on September 17; only partly racked): Good dark red. Pungent aromas of black cherry and licorice. Supple but cool and dry in the mouth, with a savory quality to the black cherry and mint flavors. Very fine-grained wine with excellent length and a light touch, clearly in an early-harvest style. A majority of these vines date back to 1953.
About the producer
Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most established wine producers. Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, it is the largest vineyard owner in the Côte d’Or with 130 hectares of vines.