Bouchard Père & Fils : Bonnes-Mares Grand cru Domaine 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru Domaine 2021 from Bouchard Père & Fils

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with garnet highlights.

Nose

Remarkably refined, the nose combines fruit and spice aromas with subtle oak nuances. The bouquet reveals notes of dark fruits such as black cherry, blackcurrant and plum, complemented by floral accents reminiscent of violet and rose. With aeration, earthy and mineral tones emerge, rounded out by hints of spice, pepper and toasted notes.

Palate

Dense and enveloping, the palate charms with its silky texture and full-bodied character. The tannins, present and well-defined, show great finesse. The palate offers fine concentration, with dark-fruit flavors underpinned by pronounced minerality. The long, lingering finish extends aromas of dark berries alongside mineral and spicy notes, delivering an expression full of energy and intensity.

Food and wine pairings

This Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru pairs ideally with roasted poultry such as chicken, guinea fowl or partridge. It also matches richer preparations such as roast duck. Game meats, notably venison and wild boar, make classic pairings. Grilled or roasted red meats, especially beef tournedos or tenderloin, harmonize perfectly with this wine. Aged hard cheeses or washed-rind cheeses are an admirable complement to this cuvée.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru Domaine 2021 between 14 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through at least 2038.

A Grand Cru from Burgundy combining elegance and minerality

The estate

Founded in 1731 in Beaune by Michel Bouchard, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s most prestigious estates, now cultivating around 130 hectares across 450 parcels throughout the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. Owned by Artémis Domaines – the wine portfolio of François Pinault and the Henriot family – since 2022, the estate is led by Frédéric Engerer as CEO and Frédéric Weber as Technical Director. In 2025, a major restructuring created the Domaine des Cabottes, an autonomous entity bringing together 35 hectares of top terroirs undergoing conversion to biodynamic farming. At the same time, the estate is phasing out its négociant activity to focus exclusively on its estate-owned vineyards, now fully certified organic. Bouchard Père & Fils remains the largest landowner in Meursault and Beaune, notably holding emblematic monopoles such as the Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus.

The vineyard

The Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru covers around fifteen hectares between the villages of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis, with approximately 90% of the appellation located in Chambolle-Musigny. Recognized as a Grand Cru since 1936, this vineyard benefits from an east to east-southeast exposure, at an altitude between 250 and 280 meters. The soils are composed primarily of limestone with deposits of white and red marls, resting on flinty clay layers around forty centimeters deep. This Jurassic geological composition, dating back roughly one hundred and fifty million years, gives the wines their distinctive mineral character. The Bonnes-Mares terroir produces wines renowned for their balance between richness and freshness, with a full structure while expressing elegance and complexity.

The vintage

The year 2021 ranks among the most challenging vintages in the recent history of Burgundy. A severe frost in early April struck the vineyards just as the growing cycle was already underway, causing significant damage to the buds. Pinot noir generally fared better than chardonnay thanks to slightly later budbreak. Mid-June flowering was impacted by weakened vines, followed by a July-to-August period marked by cool temperatures, limited sunshine and abundant rainfall, creating intense disease pressure. From mid-August onward, conditions improved, allowing for proper ripening of the grapes. Despite these challenges, the 2021 vintage produced bright, transparent wines with fresh, vibrant aromatic profiles.

Grape variety

Pinot noir.