2003 Bonnes Mares

The 2003 Bonnes Mares offers fresh aromas of jammy black fruits and licorice. Rich, intense and profound, it has an almost Syrah-like flavor profile of black raspberries, cherries, and blackberries. Elegant yet powerful, this superb effort lingers on the palate for almost a minute. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019. Note: The information on acidification reported in the article on Maison Lucien Le Moine’s Cote de Beaunes was incorrect, according to director/winemaker Mounir Saouma. This negociant firm did not acidify any of its acquired wines, stresses Saouma, the figures quoted in my earlier article were his assessments of “typical” 2003s. Various importers, including: Vintus, Pleasantville, NY; tel. (914) 769-3000; Atherton Imports, Atherton, CA; tel. (650) 328-6639; and Chicago Wine Merchants, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 890-8131

Good saturated ruby-red. Wild, vineyard-typical aromas of black plum, iron, mocha, licorice and roasted herbs. Sweet on entry, then dense and penetrating, with strong notes of minerals, smoke and roasted herbs. From a crop level under 15 hectoliters per hectare, says Saouma. Finishes with big but noble tannins, superripe but not porty. This one finished its secondary fermentation barely a month before my visit, and will not be bottled until February or March.

Good saturated ruby-red. Wild, vineyard-typical aromas of black plum, iron, mocha, licorice and roasted herbs. Sweet on entry, then dense and penetrating, with strong notes of minerals, smoke and roasted herbs. From a crop level under 15 hectoliters per hectare, says Saouma. Finishes with big but noble tannins, superripe but not porty. This one finished its secondary fermentation barely a month before my visit, and will not be bottled until February or March.