1976 Bouchard Pere et Fils Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses

This Beaune-based domaine is one of the largest and most venerable in Burgundy. It was founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard as a textile sales and distribution company. But twenty years later Michel’s son Joseph acquired vineyards in Volnay in the famous Les Caillerets climat and started producing wine. Over the centuries the family continued to acquire exceptional vineyards throughout the Côte d’Or. For nine generations the Bouchard family ran the estate, creating notable wines, and ran their own negociant business. In 1986 the Bouchards built a new state-of-the-art facility and in 1995 they sold the estate to the French Champagne house Joseph Henriot. With more than 300 acres of vineyards in various parts of Burgundy, Bouchard Pere et Fils produces Grand Crus, Premiers Crus and other wines. It makes red and white Burgundies and is especially well-known for Grand Cru Chardonnays.

Les Amoureuses is a Premier Cru vineyard in the Chambolle-Musigny appellation in Burgundy. The 13-5 acre vineyard lies down slope form the Grand Cru Le Musigny. Because of its excellent quality, Les Amoureuses is regarded more like a Grand Cru than a Premier Cru. The largest landholder is Robert Groffier et Fils, who owns nearly 3 acres. Clive Coates has written that “Les Amoureuses is really a sort of younger brother to Musigny itself; perfumed, silky smooth, intense and soft rather than brutal and muscular, and with real finesse.”

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.