Description
Located in Cramant in the Côte de Blancs to the south of Epernay the Bonnaire family own some of the very best sites of Cramant making a range of beautifully precise blanc de blancs and Chardonnay predominant Champagnes. Bonnaire use only their own estate grown fruit from 100% Grand cru rated vineyards in Cramant and Cuis and Oiry together with small holdings in the Marne Valley and Bergeres-les-Vertus for a little Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to craft their small range of crystalline pure champagnes.
Established since 1932 the Bonnaire estate is now run by the new generation of Jean-Etienne and Jean-Emmanuel who in recent years have taken over from their father Jean-Louis who has lead the estate for more than 50 vintages establishing them as one of the leading producers in the Côte des Blancs.
All champagnes at Bonnaire are fermented and raised in stainless steel with malolactic fermentation used to soften the austerity so often found in blanc de blanc champagnes. This results in a range showing wonderfully fine textures allied with richness and depth and exceptional purity.
Whilst the region of Burgundy has enjoyed a huge revival of its fortunes in the past 3 decades as a result of the surge in quality coming from the small growers who are now estate bottling, Champagne is also now seeing a similar surge of interest in small high quality grower champagnes. In Burgundy the best sites for each variety are well researched and have proven their capacity to produce wines of a certain quality level for centuries. Similarly in the Champagne region, the best sites of land are rated and the prices of grapes that can be achieved from those sites will depend on the rating of each site. Cramant is a complex jewel in the Champagne crown, one of the few villages rated 100% Grand cru (There are only 17 Grand Cru villages out of 319 villages in Champagne) and these champagnes come from those superbly sited vineyards.
Prestige cuvee Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque blanc de blancs also source fruit from Cramant at several times the price.
“Bonnaire’s wines are creamy and opulent, with a sleekly polished richness. In the spectrum of Côte des Blancs champagnes, they tend to be on the generous side rather than the racy one, yet at the same time, they retain a firm structure and an intense minerality that reflects Cramant’s chalky soils.” Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net
“Bonnaire makes textbook Cramant for the sensualist. My private cellar is full of Bonnaire.” Richard Juhlin, 4000 Champagnes
100% Chardonnay made from two of the very best parcels in Cramant from the oldest vines of the estate from the lieu-dits of Le Bateau and Les Terres de Buisson.
72 months on lees in bottle. This is the essence of Cramant showing finesse and minerality with profound depth and persistence. Very fine colour and mousse with chalky minerality and citrus notes, great length and palate presence. A stunning blanc de blancs with impeccable balance even at this early stage. 6 g/L dosage.
What a bargain vintage Grand Cru champagne here !
RRP $151 Our Special Price $114.99 – LAST BOTTLES!
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