Bouchard Pere et Fils Meursault 2017

Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault 2017 is a 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 91 points by both Wine Spectator and James Suckling, this village-level Meursault demonstrates the textbook richness and mineral tension the appellation is known for, produced by one of Burgundy's oldest and most storied négociant-éleveurs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: Bouchard Père & Fils

Production & Heritage

Bouchard Père & Fils was founded in 1731 in Beaune and has been owned by the Henriot family since 1995. The house operates from the Château de Beaune, a former 15th-century royal fortress it has occupied since 1820, where underground cellars provide ideal aging conditions. Grapes for this Meursault are manually harvested in small 13 kg cases with careful hand-sorting of each cluster. The wine undergoes 8 to 10 months of aging in French oak barrels with up to 10% new wood, followed by 2 to 3 months in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness before bottling. Notably, Bouchard Père & Fils became the first estate in the Côte d'Or to earn France's highest level of sustainable agriculture certification (HVE3) in 2015.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crisp Anjou pear and dried white flowers before moving into layers of beeswax and blanched almonds. A subtle backdrop of vanilla and orchard fruit spice adds complexity without dominating the floral character.

Taste: The entry is plump and satiny, with ripe peach, melon, and creamy stone fruit flavors filling the mid-palate. A vein of chalky minerality emerges at the core, joined by cinnamon and toasted spice accents that build toward a focused, incisive peak. The 2017 vintage's warmth gives the wine a generous body without sacrificing structure.

Finish: Medium to long, with an elegantly chalky texture and lingering notes of dried peach skin and subtle mineral salinity. The restrained oak influence fades cleanly, leaving a persistent freshness.

How to Drink Meursault 2017

Serve lightly chilled between 12–14°C (54–57°F) in a wide-bowled white wine glass. This Meursault is best appreciated neat, where its interplay of richness and mineral tension can fully develop. A Kir Bourguignon — made with crème de cassis — works well here, as the wine's body stands up to the liqueur's sweetness. A classic White Burgundy Spritz with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist lets the pear and floral notes shine in warmer weather. For a more refined cocktail, try it in a French 75 variation substituting this Chardonnay for Champagne, where its richer texture adds weight and depth to the gin-and-citrus base.

Best For

• Hosting a Burgundy-focused wine dinner or tasting flight
• Gifting a white Burgundy enthusiast exploring village-level Meursault
• Pairing with a holiday roast chicken or Thanksgiving meal
• Cellaring short-term (2–5 years) to explore how the 2017 vintage evolves

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bouchard Meursault 2017 taste like? It delivers ripe peach, melon, and creamy orchard fruit flavors supported by chalky minerality, beeswax, and a touch of toasted spice from restrained French oak aging.

How does Bouchard Meursault compare to Domaine Roulot Meursault? Domaine Roulot's Meursault expressions, particularly Les Clous (a vineyard formerly owned by Bouchard), tend toward greater precision and higher acidity, while this Bouchard bottling leans into a rounder, more generously textured profile with prominent stone fruit richness. Roulot typically commands a significantly higher price point, making Bouchard a more accessible entry into village-level Meursault.

Is Bouchard Meursault 2017 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its satiny texture, balanced acidity, and layered aromatics make it highly rewarding on its own, especially when served at the right temperature between 12–14°C.

Where is Bouchard Meursault made? It is produced by Bouchard Père & Fils, headquartered at the Château de Beaune in Beaune, Burgundy, France, using fruit sourced from the commune of Meursault in the Côte de Beaune sub-region.

What foods pair well with Bouchard Meursault 2017? Roast chicken with herbs benefits from the wine's body and spice. Lobster or crab in butter sauce mirrors its creamy texture. Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes its nutty, beeswax character. Pan-seared scallops with brown butter complement the toasted oak nuance. A classic quiche Lorraine provides a rich, savory match for the wine's generous palate weight.

What sizes does Bouchard Meursault come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this village-level cuvée.

Is Bouchard Meursault 2017 worth the price? It positions as a mid-range village-level white Burgundy from a highly respected house with nearly three centuries of winemaking heritage, scoring 91 points from Wine Spectator and James Suckling — strong critical marks that place it among the better values in the Meursault appellation.

Why Bouchard Meursault 2017?

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy was marked by warmth and generosity, producing Chardonnays with ripe fruit and approachable texture — qualities this Meursault delivers in full measure. Backed by 91-point scores from Wine Spectator and James Suckling, it represents one of the more reliable village-level Meursaults on the market from a house founded in 1731. The aging in Bouchard's historic underground cellars beneath the Château de Beaune provides conditions few other producers can replicate, contributing to the wine's refined integration of oak and fruit. For drinkers seeking authentic Côte de Beaune Chardonnay with a proven track record and sustainable farming credentials, this bottling makes a compelling case.