Bonnes Mares Grand Cru Reviews

An admirably fresh, cool and airy mix displays notes of lavender, oak, red berries, cassis, spice, wet stone and discreet game nuances along with just enough herbal character to notice. There is good richness to the mouth coating and muscular broad-shouldered flavors that possess good delineation and excellent energy before culminating in a dusty, balanced and palate coating finish that delivers excellent length though the herbal character does resurface. This slight vegetal element is admittedly subtle and may very well dissipate with age but for the moment it's sufficiently noticeable that it is a concern.

Bright full red. Reticent, very pure aromas of candied cherry, rose petal, white pepper and blood orange. Lovely delicacy and inner-mouth tension to the penetrating flavors of pomegranate, cranberry and spices. A wine of outstanding finesse, finishing juicy, vibrant, perfumed and long. This classic Bonnes-Mares will need extended aging: I wouldn't think of uncorking a bottle for at least eight to ten years.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. Lighter in color, there are plenty of pretty, demure red berry fruits on the nose of the Bonnes-Mares 2011 from Domaine de la Vougeraie: very pure and translating the essence of Pinoté, albeit not the kind of aromatics for someone seeking opulence. The palate is medium-bodied with very well-judged acidity. This just glides across the palate and down the throat in effortless fashion. Bon vin.