The 2017 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru showcases the harmonious marriage of elegance, depth, and complexity.
Appearance: Glistening with a deep ruby hue, the 2017 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru displays a regal and inviting color that hints at the wine's inherent richness.
Aroma: A symphony of aromas greets the senses, leading with an intoxicating blend of dark berries. Ripe black cherries, blackberries, and juicy plums intertwine, creating a captivating fruit profile. Fragrant floral notes, such as violets and rose petals, add an ethereal touch, while hints of exotic spices, like cloves and nutmeg, provide an alluring complexity. Subtle earthy undertones and a whisper of forest floor complete the aromatic ensemble.
Palate: The palate is greeted by a velvety texture that gently caresses the mouth. A harmonious interplay of flavors unfolds, with layers of luscious dark fruits dominating the forefront. Black raspberries, cassis, and wild blueberries tantalize the taste buds, revealing depth and intensity. The wine's fine-grained tannins lend structure and finesse, seamlessly integrating with the fruit. Silky and seductive, it exudes a remarkable balance between power and grace.
Midpalate to Finish: As the wine evolves on the midpalate, nuances of black tea, dried herbs, and a touch of smoky oak emerge, adding further complexity. A mineral backbone adds depth and character, showcasing the distinct terroir of the Bonnes-Mares vineyard. The finish is incredibly long and satisfying, leaving an enduring impression of dark fruits and a subtle hint of spice.
Conclusion: The 2017 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru's expressive aromas, luxurious texture, and impeccable balance make it a wine of immense pleasure. While already displaying immense beauty, this Grand Cru has the potential to age gracefully, revealing even greater intricacies over time.
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Decant. So tight. Needs lots of air. After 2 hours it started to reveal soft blue fruit on the nose. Palate is rustic with lots of blue fruit and good acid. Very rustic at first, really softens with air. Very primary at the moment, but all the pieces are there for the long term.
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67PM dinner: Not as open as the two wines that came before. Darker fruits with more earth, not as delineated and showing as much at the moment. Massive structure that needs time to unfurl despite the more approachable vintage.
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Opened to try. Medium red, good acidity, lightweight in the mouth, good flavours of dark fruit with tones of earth, no nose, moderate tannins. This wine has a softness about it and I am hoping the fruit flavours will prevail over time. This improves with each glass and develops a lovely sweetness and depth of flavours as you finish the bottle. . Needs time! Great potential!
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Wow, a classic, relatively approachable. Rose petal, spices. Nice structure, complex, multilayer. Med-full body. Tasted with friends. Average score 96.
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Consumed over several hours. Initially opens up with minerally driven fruit, but with air reveals more black and blue fruit, somewhat ripe and plummy. A very fruit driven nose. Palate leans taught and high test, with chalk and loamy elements, finish shows iron notes. Underbrush and wild berry. A bit of heat and some hint of new world. Still a baby and should mellow over time.
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2018 Domaine Bruno Clair Barrel Tasting with Philippe Brun (Marsannay): An unusual Bonnes Mares because it's on the Clos des Tart wall. Philippe jokingly refers to it as their "Morey St. Denis" monopole. There is however a serious point to this because it is on the white soil - "terres blanches" - not the red soil more common at the Chambolle end. Here there is another attractive - but, in this case, also quite restrained - bouquet of red cherry and red berries and plums, minerals, spicy wood tannins and florals. In the mouth, ultra-fine and silky. Looking beneath the svelte, seamless exterior though there is serious tannic structure. Persistent with plenty of drive. The proverbial iron fist in the velvet glove. "Muscular", said Philippe. "Incredible", stated Andrew. A serious and profound wine, presently pretty taut and coiled. A long mineral dry finish. One of the best wines tasted on the trip. My wine of the tasting.
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Bruno Clair Cellar Visit and Tasting (Day 3, Visit 3) (Marsannay): Barrel tasting at the domaine. Intriguing wine kept evolving for the 3 minutes in glass. Bright red start with seemingly great balance to start. Long finish came across as suddenly, and while not backward, it was very large scaled on its long finish. I truly look forward to revisiting this young, even though it will need cellar time, but think it has 93-94 point potential.
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6/3/2023 - St8ofGrace Likes this wine: 98 Points
The 2017 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru showcases the harmonious marriage of elegance, depth, and complexity.
Appearance: Glistening with a deep ruby hue, the 2017 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru displays a regal and inviting color that hints at the wine's inherent richness.
Aroma: A symphony of aromas greets the senses, leading with an intoxicating blend of dark berries. Ripe black cherries, blackberries, and juicy plums intertwine, creating a captivating fruit profile. Fragrant floral notes, such as violets and rose petals, add an ethereal touch, while hints of exotic spices, like cloves and nutmeg, provide an alluring complexity. Subtle earthy undertones and a whisper of forest floor complete the aromatic ensemble.
Palate: The palate is greeted by a velvety texture that gently caresses the mouth. A harmonious interplay of flavors unfolds, with layers of luscious dark fruits dominating the forefront. Black raspberries, cassis, and wild blueberries tantalize the taste buds, revealing depth and intensity. The wine's fine-grained tannins lend structure and finesse, seamlessly integrating with the fruit. Silky and seductive, it exudes a remarkable balance between power and grace.
Midpalate to Finish: As the wine evolves on the midpalate, nuances of black tea, dried herbs, and a touch of smoky oak emerge, adding further complexity. A mineral backbone adds depth and character, showcasing the distinct terroir of the Bonnes-Mares vineyard. The finish is incredibly long and satisfying, leaving an enduring impression of dark fruits and a subtle hint of spice.
Conclusion: The 2017 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru's expressive aromas, luxurious texture, and impeccable balance make it a wine of immense pleasure. While already displaying immense beauty, this Grand Cru has the potential to age gracefully, revealing even greater intricacies over time.
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4/14/2023 - shifter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decant. So tight. Needs lots of air. After 2 hours it started to reveal soft blue fruit on the nose. Palate is rustic with lots of blue fruit and good acid. Very rustic at first, really softens with air. Very primary at the moment, but all the pieces are there for the long term.
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7/10/2022 - melvinyeowq wrote:
67PM dinner: Not as open as the two wines that came before. Darker fruits with more earth, not as delineated and showing as much at the moment. Massive structure that needs time to unfurl despite the more approachable vintage.
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5/12/2022 - Pinot Peter Likes this wine:
Opened to try. Medium red, good acidity, lightweight in the mouth, good flavours of dark fruit with tones of earth, no nose, moderate tannins. This wine has a softness about it and I am hoping the fruit flavours will prevail over time. This improves with each glass and develops a lovely sweetness and depth of flavours as you finish the bottle. . Needs time! Great potential!
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4/21/2022 - Sundbyberg wrote: 91 Points
Tasting: A second vintage of this wine - did not taste like a burgundy. I have never been very impressed by Clair.
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2/19/2022 - Oferrefaeli Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow, a classic, relatively approachable.
Rose petal, spices.
Nice structure, complex, multilayer. Med-full body.
Tasted with friends. Average score 96.
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6/5/2020 - T.E.D. wrote: 92 Points
Consumed over several hours. Initially opens up with minerally driven fruit, but with air reveals more black and blue fruit, somewhat ripe and plummy. A very fruit driven nose. Palate leans taught and high test, with chalk and loamy elements, finish shows iron notes. Underbrush and wild berry. A bit of heat and some hint of new world. Still a baby and should mellow over time.
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4/8/2019 - HowardNZ Likes this wine:
2018 Domaine Bruno Clair Barrel Tasting with Philippe Brun (Marsannay): An unusual Bonnes Mares because it's on the Clos des Tart wall. Philippe jokingly refers to it as their "Morey St. Denis" monopole. There is however a serious point to this because it is on the white soil - "terres blanches" - not the red soil more common at the Chambolle end. Here there is another attractive - but, in this case, also quite restrained - bouquet of red cherry and red berries and plums, minerals, spicy wood tannins and florals. In the mouth, ultra-fine and silky. Looking beneath the svelte, seamless exterior though there is serious tannic structure. Persistent with plenty of drive. The proverbial iron fist in the velvet glove. "Muscular", said Philippe. "Incredible", stated Andrew. A serious and profound wine, presently pretty taut and coiled. A long mineral dry finish. One of the best wines tasted on the trip. My wine of the tasting.
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1/25/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 93 Points
During a Paulee tasting and dinner so only brief impressions. Ligher body, elegant, good quality tannis kick in at the end. Medium complexity.
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6/26/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Bruno Clair Cellar Visit and Tasting (Day 3, Visit 3) (Marsannay): Barrel tasting at the domaine. Intriguing wine kept evolving for the 3 minutes in glass. Bright red start with seemingly great balance to start. Long finish came across as suddenly, and while not backward, it was very large scaled on its long finish. I truly look forward to revisiting this young, even though it will need cellar time, but think it has 93-94 point potential.
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6/5/2018 - Philippe_C wrote: 91 Points
45 years old vines... Complex nose, red cherries, sous-bois... Searing tannin, high acidity, hint of greenness... not easy to judge at this stage...
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