2020 Bouchard Pere et Fils, Meursault Premier Cru, Genevrieres

The 2020 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières wafts from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp Anjou pear, hazelnuts, white flowers and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, terrific concentration, bright acids and a long, saline finish.

The 2020 Meursault Les Genevrières 1er Cru has a complex and engaging bouquet, quintessentially Meursault with hazelnut and grilled walnuts, just a touch of white linen in the background. Fine delineation and though the oak needs a few months to integrate fully. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly oily textured opening. Spicier in style, this gains depth towards the finish, where there is just a touch of warmth. But overall, this works. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Bouchard are big Meursault landowners. This comes from two plots, one steep on brown soil produces a rich, generous 'true Genevrières' and the other is higher with lots of white soil which matures grapes later. Savoury, intriguing nose. Good sappy, appetising fruit. Quite a substantial palate impact. Lovely balance and pace. Actually you could almost enjoy this now, thanks to the fruit density. Long. (JR)

Tank sample. Attractive stony fruit with a red-apple-skin note on the nose. Oak is dominant on the palate, then apple. Pithy, super-young with a rich intensity – a stone-fruit note on the dry finish. (AC)