Beaune 1er Cru Aux Coucherias AOP 2023 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Beaune 1er Cru Aux Coucherias AOP 2023 1500ml Magnum by Boris Champy

Colour & Appearance

Medium-dense, luminous purple – for a 2023 Beaune, a remarkable depth and intensity that already announces the serious character of this wine in the glass.

Nose

The nose is complex and characterised by a dark, earthy dignity. Dominant notes of blackcurrant and forest mushrooms meet celery and spices. Beneath lie ripe dark cherries, plums and a seductive hint of blackcurrant yoghurt – a creamy fruitiness that quickly recedes with air, ceding the field to the more serious tones. A Burgundy that does not seek attention, but demands it.

Palate

On the palate, the Aux Coucherias unfolds an impressive tension between purity and sensuality. Juicy, dark fruit combines with discreet extract sweetness and pronounced spice. The tannin is fine-grained and precise, the structure forceful. Savoury, pleasantly bitter notes and a light salinity lend the wine a mineral depth that recalls the limestone-rich subsoil of its origin. Among the wines in the portfolio, the one that demands the most patience – and will reward it most generously.

Finish

Long, mineral and characterised by a dry, spicy persistence. The tannin remains present without being harsh – a promise of long development in the cellar.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Aux Coucherias lies in a west-facing, very steep location just before Bouze-lès-Beaune. The soil of dark clay and limestone gives the wine its characteristic density and minerality. The vineyard is naturally isolated by trees and gorse – a microcosm unto itself. The vines were planted in the 1950s and have been managed biodynamically since 1985.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Noir from old vines, with a planting density of around 10,000 vines per hectare in Guyot training. The harvest took place in early September 2023, just before a heatwave – fortunate timing. Boris Champy works with approximately 50% whole bunches and ages the wine twelve months in barrique. The magnum bottle promises an even slower, more harmonious development.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Ideal with Coq au Vin, braised lamb shoulder with Provençal herbs or aged Époisses. Also a worthy encounter on equal terms with wild boar ragout or a classic beef fillet with truffle jus.

Special Features

Boris Champy knows this vineyard site from his time at Louis Jadot, where it was vinified as Clos de Couchereaux. Under his own label it is called Clos Montchovet. The magnum bottling underscores this wine’s ageing potential – a Burgundy for the patient, one that will only find its true voice in five to ten years.