2013 Meursault Les Gouttes d’Or 1er Cru

Under the direction of technical director/winemaker Philippe Prost, Bouchard began harvesting on the Cote de Beaune on September 30, with most crus coming in between October 4 and 9. (Bouchard waited until October 5 to attack the Cote de Nuits, but Prost noted that "we didn't lose acidity because the pinot noir grapes were less advanced.") Prost told me that Bouchard experienced 20% to 80% hail damage on 42 hectares of vines on the Cote de Beaune. He considers 2013 to be a fragile vintage owing to rot pressures "but not in the grand crus or in Meursault Perrieres." Prost added that he "loves the richness of the 2012 vintage. The main decision was to destem 30% of the fruit before the press as the berries were small and the stems were somewhat metallic and bitter due to the quick ripening." Acidity levels are just average in 2012, and Prost believes that although the wines have good minerality they will generally be for drinking before the 2013s. Also recommended: 2012 Puligny-Montrachet (86).