Reviews & Awards

The 2019 Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru has by far the best aromatics of Bouchard's somewhat awkward Beaune Premier Crus, delivering bright red berry fruit, crushed stone and final delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, and quite peppery on the entry, but shows more freshness and terroir expression compared to Les Teurons or the Clos de la Mousse. Excellent.

The 2017 Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru comes from the 3.91-hectare parcel on the mid-slope, currently undergoing piecemeal replanting. It has a wonderful, expressive bouquet of dark cherries, wild strawberry and crushed stone that is easily the best of Bouchard's Beaune Premier Crus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and well-judged acidity, perhaps a little oakier than the Les Teurons but with more depth and precision on the finish. Great potential.

Good dark red. Black cherry, licorice and bitter chocolate on the nose, plus a whiff of menthol. Juicy and deep, showing excellent definition and lift to its black cherry, chocolate and mineral flavors. Very good energy here, with the tannins avoiding dryness.

This tight wine is firm with tannins and still very young. With a backdrop of dense black fruits and acidity, its potential is considerable. With this promise and richness, the wine needs aging. Drink from 2024. Maisons and Domaines Henriot. Cellar Selection.

The 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus is showing well, wafting from the glass with aromas of smoky cherry and blackberry fruit that mingle with nuances of incense, spices and baking chocolate. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, velvety and supple, with a nicely concentrated core of sapid fruit, succulent acids and quite a long, harmonious finish. This has come together very nicely since I tasted it from barrel in early December.

The 2021 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves 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.

Still pretty closed, this is a concentrated and seriously structured wine for a Beaune 1er Cru, which has clearly been built for the long-term. However, its the pronounced, stony minerality that makes this exciting. Bold and still quite tight finish. From a 3.92-hectare plot in one of Beaune's top sites. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

The 2021 Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru is on sandier soil than the rest of Les Grèves. This is more complex on the nose by comparison, a touch more tension, and with greater sapidity. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip, quite firm tannins, good backbone. A solid Beaune Grèves with a welcome dash of black pepper on the finish. There's a tangible difference in quality between this and the regular Grèves bottling this year.

The 2020 Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru has a lovely, sensual red berry, rose petal and mulberry scented nose that has fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, a little more tension that the Les Teurons with a saline finish. This is a well crafted Beaune.

A standout wine that leaves no one indifferent. With strong character and a lingering presence, it opens in the glass with alluring freshness and brooding elegance. Fine tannins underpinned by measured acidity. Aromas of dried herbs mingle with intriguing apple peel, smokey bergamot and dried roses. A true journey on the palate with a zesty playfulness on the attack and a crunchy richness on the midpalate. Long finish with subtle spiciness.