2014 - Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, Georges Roumier

The 2014 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has a fragrant, floral bouquet with touches of blueberry, violet, wet limestone and effervescent blood orange. There is simply wonderful delineation here. The palate is very well structured, linear and strict in accordance with the vintage, driving acidity here maintaining the freshness with superb minerality on the finish. Oh yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Dark red. A sexy hint of woodsmoke complements sweet scents of cherry liqueur and purple berries. Tight-grained and fine, but with terrific inner-mouth lift to its dark berry, spice and violet flavors. Wonderfully juicy, lively wine with a light touch. Not a fleshy powerhouse, and not showing the obvious mineral structure today of the Ruchottes-Chambertin, but this utterly seamless wine is richer and fruitier. The noble tannins are almost invisible today and yet the finish boasts terrific thrust. This knockout will need a solid decade to approach maturity.

Roumier has four parcels from far north to far south. This is the final blend, made at press time. Very sumptuous and serious. Lots of rich smooth fruit with lots of red plummy fruit. Very crisp and precise. Lots of layers and interest here. Very long. (JR)