Very good deep red. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, tar and leather. Supple, round and ripe; began with less cut than the Amoureuses and Sentiers but seemed to gain freshness with air. Spreads out impressively on the ripely tannic back end, leaving behind strong soil tones and a musky note of huckleberry.

Strong reduction makes the nose impossible to evaluate but the full-bodied flavors are impressively powerful yet they are unusually accessible for a young Bonnes Mares with fine intensity, persistence and a balanced finish. This is not an especially big wine by the typical standards of the appellation but the focus and detail are excellent.

The 2008 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is a wine that would have contained around 60% whole bunch, Nicolas Groffier remembering the yields were down in the 20hl/ha because of the small berries. It has a leafy, herbaceous nose whereby I feel that the stems are not fully entwined with the fruit as they seem to do these days. The terroir is therefore in the background. The palate is nicely balanced, again, leafy with austere tannins and slightly hard finish. It just lacks the charm that Groffier's wines have in spades nowadays, and I find this a bit hard going.

Mid to dark crimson. Scented and seductive. This vineyard seems to have done very well in 2008. Very polished and opulent and super-fruity. There’s a real sheen on this wine. Lots of very slightly raw fruit but the structure is great. This should develop into a really refreshing fine bottle. Though the acidity will always be a dominant feature. Fresh and clean. (JR)