Julien Bouchard Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits 'Les Dames Huguettes' 2022

From a notable plateau overlooking Burgundy’s esteemed Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyards, Julien Bouchard Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits “Les Dames Huguettes” is a refined and radiant medium-bodied take on Pinot Noir. It offers generous strawberry, red currant and cherry flavors kept neatly in check by drying tannins. And because it comes from Julien Bouchard, it also offers incredible value ( more on that below).

High Quality from High Vines: In Burgundy’s heartland, at the southern end of the well-regarded corner of the Côte de Nuits, Nuits-Saint-Georges has established a reputation for layered and complex Pinot Noir that stands the test of time, with many of its top wines sold with enormous price tags. Just barely outside the appellation, on a plateau that rises more than 1,000 feet in elevation, sits the tiny vineyard that supplied the grapes for this wine.

Though just under four acres, the site has become quite known. Its southeastern exposure is ideal, and its deep soils have the same proportions of calcareous clay and Argovian marls as Premier Cru slopes nearby; its fruit is often praised for its terrific flavor development and a freshness that keeps you coming back for another glass. All of which plays out perfectly in this bottling.

Fermented in stainless steel, then aged in tank and barrel, this Pinot offers a more streamlined and structural taste of Burgundy than the other reds in Julien Bouchard’s range. Opening with attractive red fruit and floral aromas, it offers a palate of perfectly balanced and pure, juicy fruit tones that absolutely sing beneath a veil of tannins. Though delicious now with a short decant, it will age wonderfully—if kept properly—for up to five years.

A Dream Partnership: In Burgundy, the house of Albert Bichot is legendary, having owned land there since the 14th century and produced wine since the early 1800s. Today, it remains a family-run company that owns its own vineyards. However, Bichot is also a négociant-éleveur, which means it can supplement its own fruit with purchased grapes, freshly crushed juice or unfinished wine from a network of small growers.

The approach allows access to an enviable collection of vineyards—including the Premier Cru plot from which this wine was made—and has enabled them to produce premium wines without premium price tags. This is part of the reason Decanter has called Albert Bichot “one of the region’s most dynamic, quality-focused” estates.

For 50 years, Julien Bouchard dedicated himself to making some of the finest wines in Burgundy. In 1955, without anyone to leave his winery and vineyards to, he selected the team at Albert Bichot to become stewards of his life’s work and continue his legacy. Today, we are happy to bring the Bouchard range to the U.S.

A word to the wise: With just 240 cases of this wine available, you’ll want to secu