Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue : Bonnes-Mares Grand cru 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2020

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils a deep purple color with violet highlights, a testament to the vintage's concentration and the wine's youth.

Nose

The nose reveals an aromatic complexity marked by notes of black fruit and black cherry, accompanied by iodized and peony nuances. Touches of licorice and dark chocolate enrich the bouquet, while a slight lactic component adds depth to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this Grand Cru presents a medium to full structure, with impressive density. Dark fruits express themselves with intensity, supported by silky and remarkably defined tannins. The finish stands out for its exceptional persistence, revealing notes of white pepper, licorice and a saline minerality that confers freshness and energy to the whole. The typical character of Morey-Saint-Denis manifests through an assertive structure and remarkable definition.

Food and wine pairings

This Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2020 pairs perfectly with feathered game meats such as duck, goose, pheasant or wild partridge. It also elegantly accompanies roasted or braised beef or lamb dishes, particularly when enhanced with aromatic herbs or spices. A saddle of lamb with herbs or furred game seasoned with pepper and juniper make for harmonious pairings.

Service and storage

The Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2020 requires significant cellaring time before reaching its peak. It is recommended to keep it in the cellar for at least ten years before opening, i.e. until around 2030. This wine possesses an aging potential of several decades thanks to its fine tannic structure and remarkable balance.

A structured and concentrated Burgundian Grand Cru

The estate

Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé is among the most prestigious estates in Burgundy. Its history dates back to 1450 when Jean Moisson planted the first vines in Chambolle-Musigny. The property took its current name in 1925 under the impetus of Comte Georges de Vogüé. Today, the estate is managed by Claire de Causans and Marie de Ladoucette, the granddaughters of Comte Georges, representing the twentieth generation of owners. With 12.5 hectares of vines, including 7.12 hectares in the prestigious Musigny Grand Cru, the estate embodies Burgundian excellence through a terroir-respectful approach and minimalist winemaking. Jean Lupatelli has been the technical director since 2021.

The vineyard

Bonnes-Mares is a 14.99-hectare Grand Cru distributed between the communes of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis. The estate owns 2.66 hectares located in the southern part of the appellation. The vines rest on eroded limestone soils mixing light clays, gravel and stony fragments on a substrate of white marl and limestone slabs. This particular geological composition confers a characteristic textural richness and structural intensity to the wines. The eastern exposure and altitude favor optimal ripening of the Pinot Noir. The vineyard is managed according to the principles of sustainable viticulture, favoring gentle interventions and respect for natural balance.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy is distinguished by exceptional weather conditions. After a mild and wet winter, spring allowed for early budburst in mid-April without frost risk. Flowering took place favorably in May. Summer brought marked drought with record sunshine, making 2020 the driest season in 75 years. Despite the sustained heat, temperatures did not reach the extremes of 2019, allowing for remarkable preservation of acidity. These conditions produced small-sized berries, concentrated in flavors, requiring precise management of the harvest date to balance sugar maturity and phenolic maturity.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest of the Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2020 was carried out manually with particular attention paid to phenolic maturity while preserving aromatic freshness. Winemaking was carried out with complete destemming for this vintage, according to protocols established by François Millet before his retirement. Fermentations took place naturally without aggressive extraction, favoring prolonged macerations to gently develop color and flavors. Aging continued for 18 to 20 months in Allier oak barrels, with approximately 35% new wood. The wine was bottled without filtration or fining in order to preserve its integrity and complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir