2022 Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils is one of the most respected names in Burgundy, yet despite their renown, it seems the market has not yet fully appreciated just how good the wines currently being produced are. They are the largest owner of Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy, this includes prized plots such as Montrachet, Chevalier Montrachet, Chambertin, Bonnes Mares, and Meursault Perrieres.

Founded in 1731, the subsequent nine generations of the Bouchard family has amassed an impressive 130ha of vineyards, including nearly 100 separate climats. It's perhaps this large size, contrasting the current trend for tiny producers with a cult following that has meant Bouchard are not front and centre in the minds of many Burgundy drinkers. A true shame as Bouchard are making some of the best wines in their history.

Other reviews....
Pungent aromas of smoky reduction and wood toast overshadow the underlying fruit today. Otherwise there is excellent size, weight and intensity to the super-sleek and concentrated broad-shouldered flavors that also display plenty of minerality on the youthfully austere finish where an interesting hint of tangerine peel slowly emerges. Like the Corton-Charlemagne, this also needs to develop more depth so once again, at least moderate patience is advised. Drink through 2034+.
92-94 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound

The 2022 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru is unusually textural and muscular for this bottling, delivering aromas of pear, yellow orchard fruit, buttery pastry, white flowers and freshly baked bread, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's rich and unctuous, with terrific depth at the core and a long, resonant finish.
94-95 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Jan 19, 2024)

The 2022 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru is often one of Bouchard Père's strongest cards. It delivers a beautifully defined bouquet with crushed limestone and yellow fruit shimmering with tension. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh with a linear, sapid finish. Sophisticated and long-term. Drink 2027-2057.
95-97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

The blend of the four terraces. For the first time there is an opulent honeysuckle note, yet still with the pure white limestone fruit of Chevalier behind. Orange rind appears at the back. A thoroughly interesting and complex wine. Good tension within the ripe fruit profile. Drink from 2030-2038.
94-96 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy

Frédéric Weber explained his parcellaire approach to Chevalier, where the house has an enormous 2.33 hectares (in addition to their La Cabotte holding): the upper terrace has a tight energy and lighter body, with a suggestion of citrus fruit 'beaux amers'. The next terrace down delivers wine with a hint of mandarin orange. The penultimate terrace gives a richer, more substantial wine with ripe apple aromas, while the lowest terrace gives the most powerful wine that almost resembles the honeyed density of Bâtard-Montrachet. The blend of them all is superb and will age for decades. Drink 2030-2070.
97 points
Charles Curtis MW - Decanter