Philippe Bouzereau - Bourgogne
The Best Introduction to White Burgundy
I was recently introduced to a client who had never tasted White Burgundy before, in fact he was surprised to learn that white burgundy is actually Chardonnay. I love coming across someone that has never experienced White Burgundy as you have the opportunity to open their eyes to an entirely new world. When the right bottle is placed in front of someone, the reaction is often the same: they suddenly understand what all the fuss is about.
With so many great wines currently available it was an easy choice. I wanted to find something that has enough richness and body that could satisfy that domestic palate but at the same time offer that Burgundian minerality and freshness that is a signature of the style all at the same time finding something at or less than he is paying for domestic wine.
The wine that came to mind was Philippe Bouzereau Bougogne 2023. I had visited the Domaine in March, and had put together an email featuring his top Meursault 1er Crus a couple of weeks before (you can read that here). I sent him a couple of bottles.
A few days later, he called me and said it was one of the best wines he had ever had! What
surprised him most was the price. At $31, he could not believe how much more complete and
satisfying it was than many of the domestic wines he had been buying for considerably more money.
That is exactly what I love to hear, and exactly what this wine so overdelivers.
It has freshness, minerality, and energy, but what really stands out is the texture. There is a
roundness to the wine that makes it feel generous and polished (sunny vintage) but maintains great acidity so the wine appears very light on its feel. It has
enough richness to satisfy, yet enough acidity to keep you coming back for another glass. That
balance is what good white Burgundy is all about.
If you already love Burgundy, this is the bottle you want to have plenty on hand as I think once you try it this may become your new favorite house wine. If you are newer to the
region, I cannot think of a better place to start. Either way, at $31, this is one of the smartest
white Burgundy buys we have in the shop.
The White Burgundy Discovery of this years buying trip
The Bouzereau family has been rooted in the Côte de Beaune for nine generations, with Philippe running the domaine from the heart of Meursault — one of Burgundy's most celebrated white wine villages. His Bourgogne Chardonnay is the entry point into that world, and it shows.
The fruit is drawn from holdings across Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Auxey-Duresses, and Santenay — a blend that brings Meursault's richness and roundness together with Puligny's finesse and vibrant acidity. The Bourgogne appellation on the label simply reflects where the value lives; the pedigree behind it is something else entirely.
