From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste: Pour a glass of the 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Les Chouacheux, and you are immediately greeted by notes of red berries and spice with an underscored by much deeper floral, currant, and bing cherry aromas. The first sip reveals a symphony of blackberries, earth, pepper, and dried flowers, a fine line of acidity and concentration from its old vines indicative of age worthiness and complexity.
Pairing: This Beaune 1er cru rouge is a versatile companion at the dinner table. Pair it with red meats, duck (check out the recipe below), or braised and roasted small game. Additionally, dishes that include mushrooms, polenta, risotto, or rich, red wine sauces also pair wonderfully alongside this beautiful red wine.
Duck Prosciutto
Recipe from Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn
Adapted by Ian Fisher
About. Burgundy’s wine region, a tapestry of vineyards and quaint villages, is known to produce some of the world’s finest wines. Amongst its jewels is Domaine Billard Père et Fils, nestled in La Rochepot, a historic village within the Hautes Côtes de Beaune appellation.
This article shines a spotlight on Domaine Billard’s 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Les Chouacheux, a red wine that epitomizes elegance and finesse.
Domaine Billard Père et Fils: A Tapestry of Tradition and Terroir
The Hautes Côtes de Beaune appellation is a treasure trove with nearly 20 ancient villages, where vineyards, woodlands, and farms flourish in serene seclusion. La Rochepot, Domaine Billard’s home, is noted for its elaborate 13th-century chateau that adorns a rocky hillside. It lies 13 km south of Beaune and just west of Saint-Aubin.
Domaine Billard Pere & Fils, managed by Jérôme and Elisabeth Billard, is a family estate with deep-rooted traditions. The couple represents the fourth generation of Billards to cultivate this land. Jérôme Billard, a well-respected figure who served as mayor of La Rochepot, has expanded the estate to approximately 18.5 hectares. He transitioned from selling wine to the local cooperative to bottling their entire production on the property.
Emphasizing the "typicity of the terroir," Domaine Billard practices organic farming with low yields, ensuring grape concentration. A testament to their commitment to tradition and innovation is their use of Raphael, a retired Percheron horse from the renowned Domaine de la Romanée Conti, for plowing the vineyards. This, coupled with gravity-fed winemaking techniques and rigorous grape selection, reflects their dedication to purity and quality.
A Terroir Like No Other
According to Siyps, "Jérôme Billard produces fine wines that are always pure, elegant and well-focused." The soil of Côte de Beaune plays an undeniable role in this elegance. Limestone scree, red silts, and rocks create a complex topography that nurtures the vines. The Côte de Beaune is further characterized by three different hillsides, each with unique soil compositions.
The Elegance of Les Chouacheux
The Beaune vineyards are the most extensive within Côte de Beaune. Among its 36 Premiers Crus is Les Chouacheux, from which Domaine Billard produces a remarkable cuvée. The 0.67-hectare southeast-facing parcel boasts a brown limestone subsoil that imparts finesse and elegance to the wines.
The name "Chouacheux" originates from "Les Sausseux," referring to a place where willow trees grow. Its historical evolution from "En Chaucheus" in the 18th century to "Choicheux" and finally "Chouacheux" reflects a rich legacy.
