2008 Bonnes Mares
By Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier
2008 Bonnes Mares from Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, Burgundy, France
Embarking upon the 2008 Bonnes Mares from Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier is akin to unearthing a time capsule crafted by the skilled hands of nature and human artistry. The 2008 vintage, an echo of classic Burgundian finesse, stands firmly as a testament to the dedication of the winemakers amid the challenges posed by a capricious growing season in Burgundy.
Vintage Virtuosity: A Twig of History Stirred into Every Glass
The harvest of 2008 in Burgundy was marked by fits and starts; hailstorms and a cool, damp August led to rigorous sorting and a reduced yield. This considered selection resulted in pure expressions of terroir. The fruit sourced by Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier for their exemplary Bonnes Mares possesses an ethereal quality – a distinctly crystalline transparency that illuminates the quintessence of Pinot Noir.
A Vigneron’s Victory: Capturing Ephemeral Whispers of Terroir
In glass, the 2008 Bonnes Mares appears as if holding tightly to its secrets – a demure, slightly garnet hue that belies the complexity within. First, the bouquet invites with whispers of ripe cherry and a subtle truffle note underscored by mineral undertones courtesy of the limestone-clay soil. However, it's on the palate that this vintage truly sings – fleet-footed yet authoritative, with velvety tannins enlacing layers of forest floor, black currant and a kiss of oak – a vintage with stamina that humbly hints at longevity.
For savvy wine investors, the 2008 Bonnes Mares from Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier represents an intriguing opportunity. The wine’s backbone and balance suggest an upward trajectory over time, while its scarcity spurs desirability among Burgundian aficionados.
An Oenophilic Odyssey Ends With Investment Potential
To imbibe 2008 Bonnes Mares is to partake in an oenological odyssey – one where nuanced elegance reigns supreme. With each sip, we find affirmation that despite 2008's vicissitudes, Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier has captured a snapshot of terroir, etching it into the annals of fine wine history. For enthusiasts and collectors, this particular vintage not only offers sensory delight but also carries promising potential for those who seek to complement their portfolios with an investment-grade gem.
Market price (USD)
$20,000.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
1092
Scores and tasting notes
The 2008 Bonnes Mares is totally mesmerizing, seductive and haunting; in essence it has all of the qualities that make Burgundy so endlessly fascinating. Soft and ethereal on the palate, the Bonnes Mares exudes tons of vintage character in its perfumed dark fruit. The wine literally floats on the palate all the way through to the eternal finish. This is a dazzling effort. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. With each passing year Frederic Mugnier has let up on the reigns of winemaking and allowed the vintage to take center stage. His wines now reflect the unique qualities of each harvest to an exacting degree. Mugnier describes the 2009s as rich, powerful and exceptionally dense wines that will be at their most exciting in several decades’ time, or – as Mugnier says with his typically dry sense of humor – when he’s no longer around. The vintage was marked by one week of very hot weather towards the end of the growing season, although on average 2009 was not a hot year. The harvest began on September 10. For the 2009s Mugnier destemmed 100% of the fruit as he didn’t feel he had the phenolic ripeness in the stems to use whole clusters. Fermentations lasted about three weeks, an approach which is now pretty much consistent from year to year. ‘Long, slow and gentle,’ Mugnier says. The wines were racked once and were scheduled to be bottled between April and May 2011. The percentage of new oak barrels continues to drop and is now between 15-20% across the entire range. I also tasted all of the 2008s, a vintage in which Mugnier’s wines are stratospheric for their sheer beauty, elegance and pedigree. In 2008 the harvest began on September 26, two full weeks after 2009, which is pretty consistent across domaines in these two years. Today the 2008s appear to have more finesse and silkiness. This will be a fascinating vintage to follow here. A Becky Wasserman Selection, Le Serbet, various American importers, including: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808; Veritas Imports, Beverly Hills, CA; tel. (310) 205-3803; Toepfer Imports LLC, CO; tel. (303) 818-7640
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 1 May 2011