Domaine G. Roumier
Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru
Bonnes-Mares
2018
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2021-2042).
In 2026, the G. Roumier Bonnes-Mares 2018 is five years into its peak drinking window, which extends through 2042, placing it deep within the heart of peak. The 2018 vintage across Burgundy's Côte de Nuits produced some of the most concentrated and ripe wines in a generation, with full-bodied structure and exceptional fruit depth. In 2026 those qualities have integrated beautifully: the exuberant ripe fruit of youth has given way to a more complex, layered expression, with mineral freshness and exotic spice gaining prominence alongside the fruit core. The remarkable mineral freshness that distinguishes Roumier's Bonnes-Mares from the vintage's more extracted examples is at its most compelling now, threading fine structure through the wine's full body. This is an exceptional drinking window from today through the late 2030s, with the wine holding comfortably through hard decline in 2051. Collectors who opened bottles early in release encountered ripe generosity; those opening in 2026 find a more multidimensional, integrated expression of this grand cru terroir that rewards patience.
The ‘18 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru.
Christophe Roumier's 2018 Bonnes-Mares: ripe red fruit, exotic spice, and remarkable mineral freshness from one of Burgundy's most sought-after grand cru producers.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2018 Roumier Bonnes-Mares pours a deep, vibrant ruby with a concentrated dark fruit core visible from the first pour. The nose is generous and layered: ripe red cherry and strawberry lead, followed by rose petals, peony, and an exotic drift of orange rind and clove. The 2018 warmth in the Côte de Nuits is fully present, but Christophe Roumier's whole-cluster approach threads a structural backbone through the richness that keeps the wine grounded and mineral. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied and multidimensional, with a concentrated core of ripe dark fruit balanced by remarkable mineral freshness. Tannins are firm but finely grained, providing structure without hardness. In 2026, five years into its peak window, the wine shows beautiful integration: the ripe fruit layers have opened and deepened, the mineral quality has gained prominence, and the finish extends with a compelling interplay of spice, earth, and refined fruit. This is Bonnes-Mares at its most expressive moment.
The 2018 vintage
The 2018 growing season in Burgundy was defined by exceptional warmth and sunshine, producing some of the most concentrated and fully ripe wines in recent memory. After the frost-reduced harvests of 2016 and 2017, the 2018 season delivered near-perfect ripening conditions: a mild spring free of damaging frost events, a warm summer without excessive heat spikes, and a dry, warm August that concentrated sugars and flavors before harvest began in late August and continued through early September. For Bonnes-Mares, which straddles the boundary between Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny on predominantly limestone-and-clay soils, the 2018 warmth translated into a fuller body and darker fruit character than is typical for the climat. Christophe Roumier's whole-cluster approach and low yields preserved the mineral freshness that distinguishes his interpretation from the more extracted wines of the vintage, producing a wine with both the concentration of 2018 and the structural precision of a great Bonnes-Mares.
About Domaine G. Roumier
Domaine G. Roumier is directed by Christophe Roumier, who has shaped the estate's wines since 1990, building it into one of the most sought-after addresses in all of Burgundy. The domaine farms less than nine hectares across multiple appellations, with rigorous attention to vine age, low yields, and minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar. Christophe uses significant whole-cluster fermentation for his top red wines, native yeast, and maturation in a high proportion of older Burgundy barrels, a deliberate choice to allow terroir rather than new oak to drive the wine's character. The Bonnes-Mares holding spans approximately one and a half hectares with old vines that produce intensely mineral-driven fruit. The estate's tiny production and exceptional quality make its wines among the most allocated and collectible in Burgundy, with mailing-list access required for most releases.
From the cellar: pair with
Roasted venison loin with juniper berry sauce
The wine's firm, finely grained tannins manage game fat cleanly, while its ripe dark fruit and exotic spice mirror the juniper and wild character of the venison.
Duck confit with orange and clove glaze
The concentrated red fruit and orange rind notes of this Bonnes-Mares echo the citrus glaze, while the wine's mineral freshness cuts through the richness of duck confit with precision.
Beaufort or Gruyère aged 18 months
The full body and mineral freshness of this Roumier amplify the nutty crystalline character of aged alpine cheese, while the fine tannins cleanse the palate between bites.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 61-64°F (16-18°C)
- Decanting
- Decant 60 minutes before serving. In 2026 the wine is in full mid-peak integration; the hour of air time opens the exotic spice layers and softens the firm tannins while preserving the mineral freshness that defines this Roumier.
- Cellar Storage
- 55°F (13°C), 65-70% humidity, bottle horizontal in a dark, vibration-free space.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Morey-Saint-Denis / Chambolle-Musigny, Côte de Nuits
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to drink the 2018 G. Roumier Bonnes-Mares?
In 2026 this wine is five years into its peak window and showing exceptional integration. The ripe 2018 fruit has deepened into a multidimensional expression, with mineral freshness and exotic spice coming forward. Optimal drinking runs from now through the late 2030s. The wine holds through 2042, but the window of maximum complexity and integration is open now. For a comparison from the same producer, the [2022 Bonnes-Mares](/wines/domaine-g-roumier/bonnes-mares-grand-cru/2022) offers the most recent vintage from Christophe Roumier.
How should I decant this Roumier Bonnes-Mares?
Decant the 2018 Bonnes-Mares for 60 minutes before serving. In 2026 the wine is at full mid-peak integration, and the hour of air time opens the exotic spice and orange rind layers while softening the firm tannins. Serve at 61 to 64°F (16 to 18°C) in a large Burgundy bowl. The wine evolves beautifully over the first two hours in the glass, revealing new dimensions as it opens.
What foods pair best with this Roumier Bonnes-Mares?
The 2018 Bonnes-Mares's concentrated fruit, firm tannins, and mineral freshness call for substantial pairings. Roasted venison with juniper sauce is exceptional, as the wine's tannin structure manages game fat while the exotic spice mirrors the sauce. Duck confit with orange glaze resonates with the wine's orange rind and dark fruit notes. For cheese, aged Beaufort or Gruyère amplifies the mineral finish. Explore more Pinot Noir pairings at [/wines/varietal/pinot-noir](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir).
How does the 2018 vintage shape this Bonnes-Mares?
The 2018 season in Burgundy delivered exceptional warmth after the frost-reduced harvests of 2016 and 2017. A mild spring free of frost damage, warm and dry summer, and harvest beginning in late August produced fully ripe, concentrated wines across the Côte de Nuits. For Bonnes-Mares, the warmth created a fuller body and darker fruit character than typical, but Roumier's whole-cluster technique and low yields preserved the mineral freshness and structural precision that define his interpretation. Explore the Burgundy portfolio at [/wines/region/burgundy](/wines/region/burgundy).
What is the cellaring potential of this Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru?
The 2018 G. Roumier Bonnes-Mares holds comfortably through its peak end in 2042 and into hard decline around 2051. The 2018's exceptional concentration and firm tannin structure suggest this wine will develop slowly, with the mid-2030s likely representing the deepest level of tertiary complexity. Storage at 55°F (13°C) and 65 to 70 percent humidity in a dark, vibration-free environment is essential to protect the wine's mineral freshness. This is a wine that rewards revisiting every three to four years to track its evolution.