2006 Robert Groffier, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 1x750ml

Robert Parker 92

Strawberry and black raspberry lead in the nose of the Groffier 2006 Bonnes Mares, with herbal pungency typical for this site combining with black pepper, wood smoke, and resin for a high-strung, energetic palate and tenacious finish with the savage persistence of a sharply-toothed wild animal. This lean, brightly-penetrating expression of its cru should be given 3-4 years in the bottle and ought then to reward 6-8 more. It will be interesting to see whether in the process – in addition to settling down – it might fill out and become yet more complex. Serge Groffier mentions both the fat of 2000 and the structure of 2001 in connection with this wine, but for now, I do not find the former. [David Schildknecht, 01/12/2009]

Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020

Vinous 93+

Good bright, dark red. Briary blueberry nose shows a captivating crushed-fruit urgency. Wonderfully energetic and pure in the mouth, with pristine flavors of cassis and blueberry. Extremely primary wine-and more powerful than the 2007. Finishes with firm but fine tannins and palate-saturating perfume. [Stephen Tanzer, 03/01/2009]