Joseph Drouhin : Bonnes-Mares Grand cru 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for Joseph Drouhin Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2021

Tasting

Color

The color shows a vivid, intense ruby red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, dominated by aromas of black cherry, sour cherry and raspberry, complemented by notes of cherrywood. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward nuances of truffle and musk.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its harmonious balance between structure and texture. The attack is relatively fresh and lively, allowing the wine to reveal its full complexity without heaviness. The tannins are perfectly integrated, reflecting the house’s hallmark style of finesse. The finish stands out for its remarkable length.

Food and wine pairings

This grand cru pairs harmoniously with refined culinary preparations. It is an ideal match for woodland game such as roast pheasant with morels, thrush or lièvre à la royale. Fine red meats such as roast lamb or tournedos also make excellent pairings, provided the sauces complement the wine’s freshness without excessive richness.

Serving and cellaring

Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2021 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine reaches its optimal drinking window between 15 and 20 years, with cellaring potential of up to around 30 years.

Joseph Drouhin’s harmonious and elegant Burgundy grand cru

The estate

Founded in 1880 in Beaune by Joseph Drouhin, the Joseph Drouhin House remains a family-owned company now run by the fourth generation. Frédéric Drouhin has chaired the executive board since 2003, alongside his three siblings: Véronique Boss-Drouhin as oenologist, Philippe in charge of the vineyards and Laurent in charge of sales. The estate spans 100 hectares across Burgundy, from Chablis to the Mâconnais, with plots in 14 grands crus and 20 premiers crus. A pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming for more than 35 years, the House is a founding member of Primum Familiae Vini, and its wines are sold in more than 100 countries.

The vineyard

The Bonnes-Mares vineyard lies midway between Chambertin and Musigny, spanning two communes: Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny. The plot farmed by the House is located on the Chambolle-Musigny side, benefiting from an east-southeast exposure on a gentle slope. The terroir is characterized by slightly sloping ground mixed with limestone stones, with limestone in depth and clay on the surface, enriched with white and red marls. This geological makeup gives the wine its distinctive structure and exceptional aging potential.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions. Winter brought an exceptionally severe frost episode affecting the entire French vineyard. A milder spring encouraged flowering at the end of May, followed by particularly rainy months of June and July. Weather instability was observed between mid-July and mid-August. These climatic hazards significantly impacted yields, resulting in one of the smallest harvests Burgundy has ever known. Despite the low volumes, quality proved exceptional, with grapes of great purity.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2021 are hand-harvested into ventilated crates, with careful sorting if necessary. Vinification includes 20 to 50% whole-cluster fermentation depending on the vintage, followed by 2 to 3 weeks of fermentation and maceration in small open vats, with cap punch-downs and pump-overs. The yeasts used are indigenous and natural. Aging takes place in high-forest French oak barrels with 30% new oak, for 16 to 20 months. This respectful approach preserves the precise expression of the terroir while bringing structure and complexity to the wine.

Grape variety

Pinot noir (100%).