Domaine Henri Boillot : Bonnes-Mares Grand cru 2017

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2017 from Domaine Henri Boillot

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a bright, vibrant ruby-red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals delicate aromas of red cherry, blackcurrant, and small wild berries. Floral notes of violet and rose mingle with herbal touches of mint. A spicy dimension brings a subtle hint of white pepper and sage.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is precise and delicate. The structure unveils ripe yet refined tannins, finely shaped and mineral, gliding elegantly across the palate. The concentrated fruit is wrapped in a chalky, mineral framework. The finish lingers at length with a saline quality characteristic of great Burgundian terroirs.

Food and wine pairings

This Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2017 pairs harmoniously with game birds such as partridge, woodcock, or pheasant. It also accompanies roasted red meats like beef tenderloin or herb-crusted lamb. Characterful aged cheeses also make a fine match.

Serving and cellaring

This Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2017 will benefit from light aeration before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

A Grand Cru from Burgundy of great finesse

The estate

The Domaine Henri Boillot traces its origins back to 1885 with the Boillot family in Burgundy. Henri Boillot joined the family estate in 1975 before founding the Maison Henri Boillot in 1996. In 2005, he bought out the family shares and renamed the estate after himself. Based in Meursault, the estate spans 15 to 19 hectares divided between white and red grape varieties. Since 2008, his son Guillaume has joined him and oversees the vinification of the red wines. A pioneer of ultra-reasoned viticulture since the 1990s, the estate has established itself as a benchmark for its white wines and has built a growing reputation for its exceptional reds.

The vineyard

The Bonnes-Mares is one of the most prestigious Grands Crus of the Côte de Nuits. The appellation covers around 15 hectares, shared between Chambolle-Musigny (90%) and Morey-Saint-Denis (10%). The vineyard occupies a privileged position on the mid-slope of the Côte de Nuits, with a southeast-facing exposure and an altitude ranging from 250 to 280 meters. The terroir is composed of reddish-brown gravels, limestone, white marl, clay, and flint. This geological diversity gives the wines a well-defined structure, ideal for long-term aging.

The vintage

The year 2017 was a high-quality vintage in Burgundy. After a wet, mild winter followed by spring frosts in April, conditions improved with a very hot, dry May, then an especially scorching June reaching 38°C. These hot, dry conditions encouraged exceptionally rapid vine growth. The harvest of Pinot Noir began on September 6 in excellent weather, with a pleasant August offering remarkable sunshine. These favorable conditions resulted in grapes balanced between ripeness and acidity.

Vinification and aging

The Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2017 is crafted according to a traditional winemaking philosophy focused on minimal intervention. The grapes are fermented in stainless-steel vats with a calibrated blend of whole berries and destemmed fruit. The wine is then transferred to oak barrels, 50% to 70% new, for aging of around 18 months. The estate deliberately eschews fining and filtration, allowing the wine to express itself in its full natural integrity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir