Burghound (93)

(Don't Miss!) An exotic and spicy nose features raspberry, red current, anise and clove notes that give way to sweet, classy and notably finely detailed flavors that are also relatively forward early but tighten up considerably on the backend. In most vintages, this is the undisputed class of the cellar and while it may ultimately be so once again, in 2004 it has competition. Still, lovely stuff by any standard.

Vinous (91+)

Palish medium red. Good lift to the aromas of red fruits, smoke, cinnamon and fresh herbs. A medium-bodied wine with good smoky intensity to its flavors of redcurrant, iron and spices. There's a coolness to this wine but also an enticing lingering perfume, and the tannins are fine-grained.

Wine Spectator (97)

This has some subtle power, but in appearance it's all silk and finesse. Cherry, strawberry, currant and mineral aromas and flavors advance stealthily, as this builds in intensity to a long, lingering conclusion. The finish is its best feature. Best from 2016 through 2035. 28 cases imported. -BS

Vinous (92-95)

Good deep red. Captivating aromas of blueberry, violet, coffee bean, white pepper and crushed stone. Juicy on entry, then tight and imploded in the middle, with an energetic core of fruit currently dominated by the wine's structure. Most impressive today on the rising, expanding back end, which saturates the mouth with dusty minerality. This will need eight to ten years of cellaring.

Wine Advocate (93-95+)

The 2017 Musigny Grand Cru unfurls in the glass with captivating aromas of dried flowers, rose petal, violets and raspberries that mingle with deeper bass notes of espresso roast and raw cocoa. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and extremely elegant, with terrific depth, concentration and amplitude, framed by rich but powdery tannins and concluding with a beautifully fragrant finish. Unsurprisingly, this is likely the red wine of the vintage chez Drouhin.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (98)

(5-Star Wine) The star wine of the event. Glowing purple in colour, the 2018 Drouhin Musigny is magical in all its dimensions, without any suggestion of being a blockbuster. The fruit is superbly sensual while maintaining its gracefulness, and the tannins are exceptionally fine grained. The acidity is also beautifully integrated and the persistence stands out. What more to say?

Vinous (97)

The 2020 Musigny Grand Cru is intense and focused on the nose with red berry fruit, undergrowth, plenty of wilted violets coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that frame very pure, red berry fruit, a touch of sappiness as it fans out and deepens on the finish. There is something majestic about this Musigny, and the finish is extraordinarily long.

Burghound (93)

This is also aromatically quite restrained but aggressive swirling reveals a lovely blend of spice elements that suffuse very ripe aromas of poached plum, cassis and violet. Once again there is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the attractively textured big-bodied flavors that terminate in a mocha and bitter pit fruit-inflected finish that is noticeably warm. There is much to like here but the balance isn't quite as well dialed in as the best in the range.

Embodying the pinnacle of fine winemaking, the Laurent Ponsot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru Cuvee de l'Amandier 2021 is a triumphant notation of viticulture mastery in a bottle. Crafted in the verdant vineyards of Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, one of Burgundy's most prestigious appellations, it bears the distinguished character of its blessed terroir. Each bottle perpetuates Ponsot's legacy, a renowned winery famed for its holistic commitment to natural viticulture since 1872.

Now into the 4th generation, Ponsot's pursuit for excellence has culminated in this exquisite blend, unanimously lauded for its riveting complexity and depth. Evocative notes of ripe cherries, wild berries and spices unfurl in an elegant bouquet, framed by firm yet finely grained tannins. Its richness and structure are undeniably reminiscent of its oak ageing, striking a harmonious balance of power and finesse. Laurent Ponsot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru Cuvee de l'Amandier 2021, indeed, is the distinguished epitome of Burgundian Pinot Noir.

The Laurent Roumier Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2019 exudes elegance among the most esteemed Burgundy wines. This grandeur blend is crafted by Laurent Roumier, acclaimed winemaker in the illustrious Domaine George Roumier estate. Nestled in the Chambolle-Musigny commune in Côte de Nuits, the vineyard's climatic and geological peculiarities lend the wine its notable distinction. Cultivated from old vines, the 2019 vintage heralds a robust flavour profile, characterised by a tantalizing amalgamation of ripe fruit undertones, subtle spice nuances and an exquisite mineral finish.

Staying true to traditional technique, the Grand Cru endures prolonged fermentation in French oak barrels, enriching the wine's depth and intensity. This meticulous process ensures a harmonious balance of succulence and suppleness, enhancing the Laurent Roumier Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2019's longevity potential. An objét de beaucoup by connoisseurs, this wine encapsulates the essence of fine French viticulture.

Hailing from a highly esteemed wine-maker, the Laurent Roumier Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2020 is a spectacular expression of the finest French viticulture. This wine marvels with a classic Bourgogne essence, cultivated in the globally celebrated Côte de Nuits sub-region of Burgundy. Laurent Roumier is renowned for respecting traditional wine-making philosophies whilst embracing modern innovations, ensuring a memorable drinking experience. Hand-harvested from old vines in the Grand Cru designated vineyard, Bonnes Mares, this wine exudes elegance and complexity.

Aged in French oak barrels, the Laurent Roumier Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2020 features a robust palate with a harmony of red fruits, earthy undertones, and a lingering finish of spice and minerality. Its enchanting aromatic profile and balanced structure is emblematic of its exceptional terroir. For those seeking an exercise in top-tier Burgundy, this wine epitomises the masterful vinification of the Pinot Noir varietal, providing an unmissable indulgence for dedicated connoisseurs.

Wine Advocate (91)

The 2011 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes races out of the blocks on the nose, misbehaving like Lalou’s two dogs that are yapping around my ankles. Then it clams down with aeration, achieving more delineation and focus but still constituting one of the more exotic bouquets in this line-up. The palate is sweet in the mouth, corpulent and rounded, you could say almost nubile. Lavish, plush and caressing, this voluptuous Chambolle is one for those who prefer a more hedonistic style of Pinot?and why not.

Vinous (93-96)

Deep, saturated ruby. Explosive nose features blackberry, blood orange, minerals and violet. An extremely intense, minerally wine of great clarity and class. Powerfully structured and still an infant. Finishes with big but suave tannins and great subtle persistence.

Vinous (95+)

Deep, sappy aromas of plum, currant, minerals and smoke, with a compelling earthy complexity. Thick on entry, then youthfully backward and vibrant in the middle palate. A seamless wine that remains light on its feet despite its compelling density and major volume. Finishes with sweet tannins, a note of spicy oak and outstanding persistence.

Vinous (94+)

Bright, deep red. Musky, slightly reduced aromas of raspberry and minerals. Offers a compellingly silky texture and lovely sweetness but comes across as youthfully closed today, even a bit reduced. But this boasts superb concentration and purity of flavor and a very long, harmonious finish. I'd give this a good eight to ten years in the cellar.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2010 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is much bolder and more extravagant on the nose than the Amoureuses with potent mulberry, raspberry and a hint of tomato vine. The tannins are very supple on the palate, the acidity well-judged with raspberry, red currant and cranberry notes. It builds in the mouth, the tannins taking over to manifest a more serious Bonnes-Mares than the nose implies. This is worth cellaring for at least a decade. Drink 2022-2030.

Vinous (93-95)

Medium red. Deep, brooding aromas of dark berries, brown spices and earth. Extremely introverted on the palate, with strong saline soil tones currently overshadowing the wine's fruit. This finished its malolactic fermentation in July (most of these 2013s finished between March and June of last year) and is clearly behind most of the Gevrey wines here in its development. But this saline, classically dry, very long Bonnes-Mares should prove to be an outstanding wine of terroir 10 or 12 years down the road.

Decanter (95)

The Bonnes-Mares is an excellent, cellar worthy wine this year, opening in the glass with a bouquet of cherries, wild berries, currant leaf, coffee and gamebird. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, with excellent depth, rich but chalky tannins, and good energy through the long, penetrating finish. This is firmly structured but has the dimension and amplitude to carry it.

Decanter (95)

The Bonnes-Mares is an excellent, cellar worthy wine this year, opening in the glass with a bouquet of cherries, wild berries, currant leaf, coffee and gamebird. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, with excellent depth, rich but chalky tannins, and good energy through the long, penetrating finish. This is firmly structured but has the dimension and amplitude to carry it.

Decanter (95)

The Bonnes-Mares is an excellent, cellar worthy wine this year, opening in the glass with a bouquet of cherries, wild berries, currant leaf, coffee and gamebird. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, with excellent depth, rich but chalky tannins, and good energy through the long, penetrating finish. This is firmly structured but has the dimension and amplitude to carry it.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

This is a sumptuous wine, rich and full of both fruit and a cushioned structure. The generosity of this beautifully perfumed wine is considerable, giving juicy fruits as well as acidity. It has great aging potential so don't drink before 2026.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

This is a sumptuous wine, rich and full of both fruit and a cushioned structure. The generosity of this beautifully perfumed wine is considerable, giving juicy fruits as well as acidity. It has great aging potential so don't drink before 2026.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2018 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is armed with precocious black cherries, cassis, crushed violets and a touch of iodine on the nose, aromatics that have no intention of holding back. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, wonderful precision and sense of energy. Almost playful toward the very pure, sensual, vivid finish. This is a superb "BM" from Louis Jadot and it should offer 30-plus years of pleasure.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2018 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is armed with precocious black cherries, cassis, crushed violets and a touch of iodine on the nose, aromatics that have no intention of holding back. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, wonderful precision and sense of energy. Almost playful toward the very pure, sensual, vivid finish. This is a superb "BM" from Louis Jadot and it should offer 30-plus years of pleasure.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2019 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has a floral bouquet of black and blueberry fruit infused with crushed violet and iris petal. This is completely destemmed, so it does not convey the same amplitude. The palate is medium-bodied, with light Earl Grey and ash notes tincturing the black fruit. Fine structure and focus here. Light on its feet toward the long, sustained finish. This is a superb Bonnes-Mares.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2019 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has a floral bouquet of black and blueberry fruit infused with crushed violet and iris petal. This is completely destemmed, so it does not convey the same amplitude. The palate is medium-bodied, with light Earl Grey and ash notes tincturing the black fruit. Fine structure and focus here. Light on its feet toward the long, sustained finish. This is a superb Bonnes-Mares.

Vinous (96-98)

The 2020 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is very pure and harmonious on the nose with plush black cherry and cassis fruit, well-integrated oak and a floral aspect that becomes more prominent with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, lightly spiced with quite a vivacious, mineral-driven finish that retains superb definition. This is very impressive and bloomin’ delicious (already!)

Vinous (94-96)

The 2021 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has one of the finest aromatics from Jadot this year with a seductive bouquet of wild strawberry, blueberry, sous-bois and hints of Earl Grey and wilted rose petals. Wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and crisp acidity. It's taut and fresh with a touch of spice toward the cohesive and persistent finish. This is a superb effort in such a challenging growing season.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2021 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has one of the finest aromatics from Jadot this year with a seductive bouquet of wild strawberry, blueberry, sous-bois and hints of Earl Grey and wilted rose petals. Wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and crisp acidity. It's taut and fresh with a touch of spice toward the cohesive and persistent finish. This is a superb effort in such a challenging growing season.