2016 Domaine Georges Roumier, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 1x750ml

Vinous 94+

The 2016 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is showing more oak on the nose compared to Bruno Clair s Bonnes-Mares tasted alongside, although there is clearly sufficient fruit behind to support it: blackberry, blueberry and a touch of boysenberry. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit laced with black tea and a touch of iodine, then a strong marine influence develops towards the finish. My concern is that the wood tannins threaten to dominate but thankfully with aeration this settles down nicely and I suspect with time it would meliorate further. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting. [Neal Martin, 22/10/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2025-2060

Robert Parker 95-97

"The 2016 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru was not as affected by the frost as other cuvees. Christophe explained that the northern part of his vines was less frozen and ended up being cropped at a none-too-shabby 28 hectoliters per hectare. Also, his holding is augmented by half a hectare situated on the terres blanches soils under a new fermage from Pierre Naigeon. It has a very precise bouquet that delivers exquisite blackberry, briary and subtle leafy/undergrowth scents emanating from the whole bunch element. For a Bonnes Mares, this has an atypically firm structure: a more masculine Bonnes Mares with dark berry fruit and hints of graphite toward the finish. This is a Bonnes Mares that is holding its breath, and it deserves several years, probably a decade, to reach its drinking window. It is not quite as good as the 2015 Bonnes Mares, but it is only a whisker away." [Neal Martin, 29/12/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2023-2045