Bouchard Père & Fils : Monthélie Village Domaine 2021

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for the Monthélie Village Domaine 2021 from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Color

With an intense, deep ruby hue, this wine displays beautiful violet highlights, reflecting excellent extraction and successful phenolic ripeness.

Nose

The bouquet reveals fine aromatic complexity dominated by red and black fruits: raspberry, strawberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. These primary aromas are joined by delicate floral nuances reminiscent of dried rose and lilac. With aeration, the nose opens onto secondary notes of smoked meat, wet stone, white pepper, and undergrowth, with a mineral touch that adds depth.

Palate

The attack is silky and supple, with a medium-bodied frame that favors finesse over power. The palate delivers red-fruit flavors, notably raspberry and strawberry, lifted by spicy notes. The tannic structure is fine and present, without harshness, while acidity brings freshness and vibrancy. The texture charms with its delicacy and elegance, leading to a persistent finish that reveals subtle mineral and spicy touches.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Monthélie Village Domaine 2021 pairs perfectly with roasted poultry, guinea fowl, or chicken. It also matches beautifully with rabbit prepared as a stew or roasted with herbs, herb-crusted lamb, and veal dishes such as sweetbreads. Fish lovers can enjoy it with grilled bluefin tuna or zander in sauce. For cheese, opt for soft washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses or Livarot, as well as pressed cheeses such as Comté or Saint-Nectaire.

Serving and Cellaring

The Monthélie Village Domaine 2021 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through approximately 2028. A serving temperature between 14 and 16°C will allow its aromatic qualities and delicate structure to be fully appreciated.

An Elegant, Balanced Monthélie from Burgundy

The estate

Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard in Beaune, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest houses. The estate now spans 130 hectares across 77 climats and 111 parcels in the Côte d'Or, including 12 hectares of Grands Crus and 74 hectares of Premiers Crus. Since October 2022, the property has belonged to Artémis Domaines (François Pinault), under the leadership of Frédéric Engerer. In 2025, a major restructuring creates the Domaine des Cabottes, while the négociant business ceases permanently. The entire vineyard is now certified organic, with a biodynamic conversion set in motion from 2026 for the Cabottes.

The vineyard

The Monthélie appellation enjoys a privileged location between Volnay to the north and Meursault to the south, on south-facing slopes of the Saint-Romain combe. The name Monthélie comes from the Late Latin “Monticulus,” meaning “small mountain,” in reference to the 361-meter altitude overlooking the surrounding valleys. The vines grow on marly, gravelly clay-limestone soils, with a clay predominance that favors the expression of Pinot Noir. This mosaic of terroirs gives Monthélie wines their distinctive character, combining finesse and elegance.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was shaped by exceptional climatic conditions. A devastating frost episode in early April, with temperatures dropping as low as -8°C, significantly reduced yields by more than 60% in certain parcels. The summer that followed was marked by cool temperatures and substantial rainfall in July and early August, creating downy mildew pressure that required heightened vigilance in the vineyard. Despite these challenges, the 2021 vintage produced wines of remarkable quality, defined by outstanding freshness, aromatic brilliance, and crystalline purity.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Monthélie Village Domaine 2021 are hand-harvested into small crates, allowing for rigorous berry selection. After careful sorting and destemming, fermentation takes place in small vats with gentle extractions. Maceration lasts 15 to 18 days, with two daily punch-downs to develop color and tannic structure. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, with 25 to 35% new oak, allowing the oak notes to integrate harmoniously without masking the fruit’s expression.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.