2015 Burgundy: Regis Bouvier's Remarkably Tasty Bourgogne Rouge

There are a few facets to this story. 

You’ve got the always interesting and elusive topic of affordable Burgundy.

You’ve got a domaine that has provided us with a number of really juicy, well priced examples of that endangered species. 

Finally, both of those facets are brought to a new level of interest thanks to what is one of the most engaging vintages we have experienced in Burgundy in many years, 2015. 

We have discussed the difficulty in finding value in Burgundy a number of times over the years.  High demand, small production, and the ups and downs of marginal viticulture in general has an effect on the price tag and, even at the lower end, prices aren’t necessarily all that low.  It’s not impossible to find a deal.  It’s just really hard.  The best results usually come in concert with the blessing of Mother Nature because Pinot is a delicate grape that needs all the help it can get.  Untimely rain, thin skins, under-ripeness, too much heat, there are many things that can cause Pinot to underperform.  That’s why given the economics and the vulnerability of the varietal, finding that perfect little Pinot buy involves a fair bit of luck.

Regis Bouvier has holdings in several parts of the Cote du Nuits including Morey, Gevrey, Marsannay, Fixin and Bourgogne.  We have worked with a number of different incarnations, mostly from the northern reaches that do better in warmer vintages.  When his wines are on (and they usually have been), they are classic Burgundy with urgent red and black fruit, streaks of chalky minerality, and bright, spicy flavors.

Importer Kermit Lynch says of Bouvier, “This domaine represents terrific value for a number of reasons–a lesser-known appellation combined with quality vineyard holdings and a conscientious and talented wine grower... his reds are his crowning achievement, managing to be wild and exciting while refined and elegant at the same time.”

Now we combine Bouvier with the 2015 vintage in Burgundy, which is one of the juiciest and most engaging out of the gate we can recall.  Think back to the expressive, fleshy 2009s, but lighter on their feet like the 2002s, with a nice verve to the acidity that calls 2005 to mind.  It is hard this early on to predict where 2015 will ultimately be considered in the pantheon of great vintages.  We’re pretty sure it’s going to be ‘up there somewhere’ and the wines we have tasted thus far have been ridiculously tasty.  And they are only going to get better.

That brings us to the Regis Bouvier Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir 2015.  From a 1.5 hectare vineyard of 35-year-old vines situated in clay and limestone soils, this is a bright red cherry-leaning-towards-plum fruit, super juicy Pinot.  There are lots of ways to spin this, as a hedonistic red Burgundy, as a delicious Pinot Noir, or as a sumptuous red for under $18.  But they are all darn good reasons to add this one to your ‘cart’ for now and over the next 4-5 years.

It stands on its own as one of the purest, most exciting Pinots in its modest price class from anywhere! 

It’s worth having a case of this wine just for regular consumption.  You would be hard pressed to find many other things more expressive or attention grabbing for this kind of tab.  It’s a ‘wild and exciting’ mouthful of Pinot.  But it is also an impressive ambassador for a vintage (2015) that is going to get a lot of attention over the coming months.  How much did we like this Bourgogne?  We bought the whole lot (they had about 45 cases) without hesitation.  The 2015 vintage in Burgundy is ‘the bomb’, this wine is silly delicious already (and will be even better as it settles in), and it’s money well spent at this price.  That about covers it.  Good hunting, don’t miss this one, both as the vanguard of an important vintage and, simply, as a lusty tipple.