Tasting Notes
Vinous 95
The 2016 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is surprisingly discrete and understated on the nose, precise mineral-rich black fruit mixed with orange zest and iodine, gradually opening up with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a sorbet-like freshness on the entry, more red fruit here, cranberry, kirsch, raspberry coulis mixed with hints of fig and white pepper that lead to a spicy but quite strict finish. Tasted at the Domaine.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2045
Robert Parker 94-96
"The 2016 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru was 70% affected by the frost, though Francois explained that the north side was spared the damage. It offers slightly darker fruit on the nose compared to the Les Amoureuses: blackcurrant, tobacco, sage and in the background a touch of flint and violet petal. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, though not quite as supple as the Les Amoureuses. I admire the symmetry here: a detailed and linear Bonnes Mares with impressive mineralite on the finish that lingers 45 to 60 seconds after the wine has departed."
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2045
JancisRobinson.com 17.5+
South-east corner, downslope, so all terres rouges/red clay. (The Morey-St-Denis side has more structure.) Quite different from the other wines at this domaine with a deeper purple colour and really firm savoury nose. More earth-bound, less ethereal. Hint of vegetal – by which I don t mean unripe. Broad on the palate. Less tense and more brutal. Needs a lot of time. Lots to chew on on the finish.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2045
