2014 Benjamin Leroux, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

The 2014 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, from the terre blanche soils in the vineyard, has a sensual, feminine, comely bouquet with beautifully defined red cherries and strawberry fruit that unfurl in the glass. This is like coming face-to-face with a femme fatale, dressed to seduce. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly edgy tannin, with impressive density and a relatively linear but focused finish. There are just two barrels produced and both full of downright sexy Bonnes-Mares.

(from white soil): Deep red-ruby color. Shows darker fruit aromas than the Amoureuses, with licorice and crushed rock notes contributing lift. Wonderfully fine-grained but tight on entry, showing excellent licorice lift to the flavors of black cherry, menthol and herbs; conveys a strong impression of soil character. This very reticent, pure wine finishes with outstanding length and a note of dark chocolate. A splendid Bonnes-Mares in the making.