Domaine Bart Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2019

Alcohol: 13%

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Localization: Côtes de Nuits, Burgundy, France

Tasting Notes: Here too there is an agreeable freshness to the notably riper nose that reflects notes of dark berry liqueur, mocha, and violets. The rich and solidly concentrated broad-shouldered flavors possess a succulent mid-palate while delivering outstanding length on the sappy bitter cherry-inflected finish. This too will need to develop more complexity but the underlying material is present so that may potentially occur.

The Domain: This 22 ha estate is directed by Pierre Bart and his uncle Martin along with Pierre's mother and aunt. Martin is a cousin of Bruno Clair because Martin's mother Monique was the sister of Bruno and thus part of the Clair-Daü family. This explains why there are holdings in Bonnes Mares, Chambolle and Clos de Bèze as well as in Santenay (the family is related, though distantly, to Denis Clair of Santenay). With respect to the 2019 growing season, Pierre Bart explained that "it was again hot and dry but it's important to note that each vineyard reacts differently to different kinds of stresses. For example, in Marsannay we had hydric stress in Finottes but not in Longeroies, Echezots or Clos du Roy. Similarly, yields were normal in some vineyards and off 50% in others. Overall yields were down 20 to 25%, which isn't terrible but definitely lower than what we obtained in 2018. Specifically, they were from 32 to 37 hl/ha compared to around 45 hl/ha in 2018. We picked from the 18th of September and brought in very clean fruit that required very little sorting save for dried leaves, damaged berries or the occasional insect. Potential alcohols came in between 13 and 13.5% and we chose to use between zero and 25% whole clusters for the vinifications. The vinifications unfolded without any problems through the malos were all over the place with some finishing early and some dragging on for months. Regarding the wines, they already have beautiful colors with deep ruby highlights along with excellent balance and drive. I also like them for their excellent terroir definition and overall, 2019 is the kind of vintage that will permit early accessibility but age impeccably well as the wines have everything they need.