2014 Bonnes Mares

Full medium ruby. Very sexy, multifaceted nose combines aromas of dark berries, wild game, musky herbs, mocha, smoke, chocolate and spices. Wonderfully silky, sweet and voluminous, saturating the entire palate with flavors of black raspberry, dried flowers and dark chocolate. Underlying minerality and balancing acidity give this huge wine buns of steel. Finishes with big, broad, palate-coating tannins and firming minerality.

The 2014 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru comes from vines planted in 1929 and 1930, and is matured in 50% new oak. It has a surprisingly strict bouquet that does not exude the flamboyance or hedonism once normally associates with Bonnes-Mares. This is much more strict and stoic. The palate is harmonious with ripe, silky, smooth black cherry and boysenberry fruit interlaced with fine mineralité. The finish is almost understated, deceiving you with its length as it gently fans out. You end up being quite smitten by this Bonnes-Mares that should give 20, perhaps 30 years of pleasure.