Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru AOC 2022

Wine Description for Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru AOC 2022 by Bruno Clair

Character

Bruno Clair’s Bonnes-Mares embodies the majestic side of Grand Cru between Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis. This wine unites power and finesse in remarkable balance – the stony minerality of the Morey portion meets the silky elegance of Chambolle. The 2022 vintage, shaped by warm, dry conditions, delivers concentrated fruit whilst maintaining vibrant freshness. Clair’s restrained approach gives terroir pride of place: profound, structured, long-lived.

Terroir & Origin

Bonnes-Mares stretches across 15 hectares at the boundary of two communes, with the larger portion lying in Chambolle-Musigny. The calcareous soils with high iron content lend the wine its characteristic tension between elegance and structure. Bruno Clair manages one of the most renowned parcels in this Grand Cru, where old vines are rooted in sparse subsoil. Burgundy 2022 proved to be an early, warm vintage with low yields – ideal conditions for concentrated yet not overripe wines with precise aromatic definition.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Noir reveals its full range here: from dark cherry through earthy notes to floral hints. Bruno Clair, one of the pioneers of modern Burgundian winemaking, favours traditional vinification with moderate extraction. Fermentation takes place with a high proportion of whole bunches, which imparts additional aromatic complexity and silky tannins to the wine. Ageing in French barriques – a balanced proportion of new casks – underscores the structure without overwhelming the fruit. At 13% alcohol, the wine displays classical proportions, far removed from modern over-extraction.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A wine of this stature demands appropriate cuisine: game dishes such as venison loin or pheasant harmonise beautifully with the earthy depth. Equally braised beef, Coq au Vin or duck breast with cherry sauce. Burgundian cuisine offers ideal partners: Boeuf Bourguignon or mature Époisses cheese. The wine benefits from several years of bottle age, yet can also be enjoyed young with appropriate decanting.