# Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru (2009)

- **Producer:** Domaine Drouhin-Laroze
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €215
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, black cherry, red plum, black plum, violet, vanilla, cedar, smoke, leather, earth, mushroom, tobacco, wet leaves

## About this wine

Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru from Domaine Drouhin-Laroze is a distinguished red wine from the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy, France, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir. The appellation itself is unique, spanning two communes, with Domaine Drouhin-Laroze's parcel located entirely within Chambolle-Musigny. This specific plot is characterized by its 'terres rouges' – shallow, clay, and iron-rich soils. The domaine, a sixth-generation family estate founded in 1850, is committed to quality, focusing on practices that enhance flavor intensity. The name 'Bonnes Mares' itself carries historical intrigue, possibly linked to nuns or Roman deities. The 2009 vintage provided the conditions for a wine built for longevity, showcasing the classic, structured style for which this Grand Cru is renowned.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Bonnes Mares' may refer to 'good mothers' (nuns) or ancient Roman goddesses.
- Domaine Drouhin-Laroze's plot is exclusively on the 'terres rouges' (red soils) side.
- This wine is proportioned for extensive cellaring, with a drinking window starting in 2024.
- The domaine uses 80% new oak, with light to medium-plus toasts for harmony.

## Food pairing

The wine's high tannins and full body are well-suited to rich proteins, where the tannins bind with the meat's proteins, softening both. Its vibrant acidity cuts through the richness of dishes like duck or lamb, cleansing the palate. Earthy notes in the wine can complement dishes featuring mushrooms or game.

## Wine making process

Domaine Drouhin-Laroze employs a winemaking approach focused on expressing the unique terroir of its Grand Cru vineyards. For its Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, the domaine utilizes gentle extraction techniques, having transitioned from punching down to pumping over during fermentation. This method aims to achieve a balanced extraction of color, tannins, and aromas. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes maturation in oak barrels, with a significant proportion (around 80%) being new oak from French forests. The toast levels are carefully selected to complement, rather `than dominate, the wine's inherent characteristics. Vineyard practices, such as reducing the number of bunches per vine, are employed to concentrate flavors and ensure high quality.