The roots for this firm began in 1750 with Michel Bouchard, originally a cloth merchant in Burgundy. His son, Joseph, expanded the wine business as demand grew. In 1828, the eldest son of third generation Antoine Philibert Bouchard started his own wine brokerage and Bouchard-Aîné was born. Aîné is defined as “eldest”. It grew to be the largest wine exporter in Burgundy with shipments around the world. Grapes and wines are purchased through established partnerships with vineyards and estates throughout Burgundy and Beaujolais. Around 20 red wines and a couple of whites are produced. In 1993, the company was acquired by Jean-Claude Boisset. Many new projects were to follow, including a new winery in Beaune.

Fixin is one of the oldest villages in the Côte d’Or. North of Gevrey-Chambertin, these wines offer some of the same full flavors and structure at more modest prices. The 2019 Bouchard-Aîné Fixin La Maziere is from a plot with low yielding vines, north of the village. Dark ruby in color, the initially reticent nose opens to reveal dark aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and blue berry with an underlying backdrop of stone and minerals. The palate is moderately dense and reserved, with the fruit coming forward while maintaining a stony presence. Pleasantly structured, the wine showed nice fullness the next day with additional nuances of espresso.

By Michael Yang