Joseph Drouhin

Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru

2019

Vintage

Varietal

Pinot Noir

ABV

Peak 2022-2043

Where it is, June 2026

At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2022-2043).

In 2026, the Joseph Drouhin Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2019 is four years into its peak drinking window (2022 to 2043) and still at the early stages of its greatest expression, with seventeen years of prime drinking remaining. The 2019 vintage in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits earned a WS 97 Classic rating, recognized for concentrated and complex ageworthy reds with black fruit flavors and excellent structure from a hot, dry summer. Bonnes-Mares consistently produces some of Burgundy's longest-lived grand crus, and the 2019 vintage has reinforced this reputation: the wine combines the structural backbone necessary for long aging with the aromatic complexity of ripe Morello cherry, peony, violet, and emerging truffle that signals a wine building toward something exceptional. In 2026, balance between structure and silky tannins is the defining characteristic. The wine is genuinely accessible now for those unwilling to wait, but the remarkably long aftertaste with truffle and musk developing suggests this is a wine that will reward patience with substantially greater complexity through the late 2020s and well into the 2030s. The seventeen-year peak window is not an abstraction: this wine will be extraordinary throughout.

The ‘19 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru.

WS 97 Classic Bonnes-Mares at early peak: the 2019 Drouhin delivers Morello cherry, peony, truffle, and musk from one of Burgundy's great border-straddling grand crus, with 17 years of prime drinking ahead.

Drinking window

The arcYou are here · at peak, 2026

Tasting note

The 2019 Joseph Drouhin Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru presents a complex and deeply inviting aromatic profile in 2026. The nose opens with Morello cherry and cherrywood, precise and concentrated fruit from the 2019 vintage's warm, dry growing season, before blossoming into floral notes of peony and violet that are characteristic of the Bonnes-Mares appellation's particular blend of Chambolle-Musigny elegance and Morey-Saint-Denis structure. At four years into peak drinking, the wine is accessible but still building: the balance between structure and silky tannins is the defining characteristic of this stage, a harmony that distinguishes the Drouhin winemaking style from more extracted approaches. The long aftertaste is where the wine truly reveals its grand cru ambition: truffle and musk notes develop with extended air time, adding an earthy, savory dimension to the fruit that signals the wine's transition from primary to secondary complexity. In 2026, that transition is just beginning, and it will deepen and intensify over the next decade-plus. The finish sustains with remarkable length, confirming the ageworthy character of both this producer and this exceptional vintage.

The 2019 vintage

The 2019 vintage in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits earned a WS 97 Classic rating, celebrated for concentrated and complex ageworthy reds with black fruit flavors and excellent structure. The 2019 growing season was defined by a hot, dry summer following a wet spring, producing wines of exceptional concentration and complexity across the Côte de Nuits. Harvest came in September following an August heat period that built phenolic ripeness to near-optimal levels, with harvest beginning in late August for some producers. For Bonnes-Mares, which straddles the border of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis, the 2019 conditions amplified the appellation's natural structural power while preserving the floral elegance that distinguishes Bonnes-Mares from the more austere Chambertin appellations. The result is a vintage of exceptional density and aromatic complexity, with the Morello cherry, peony, and truffle character of the appellation more concentrated and vivid than in cooler years like 2014 or 2016.

About Joseph Drouhin

Joseph Drouhin was founded in 1880 in Beaune and is one of Burgundy's most historically significant négociant houses, with extensive domaine holdings across the Côte d'Or and Chablis. The estate is currently led by Véronique Drouhin-Boss, fourth-generation winemaker, who has guided the house since 1988. Drouhin's winemaking philosophy emphasizes elegance and terroir transparency over extraction: long, gentle macerations, minimal new oak, and a preference for finesse over power that has defined the Drouhin style across a century and a half of winemaking. In Bonnes-Mares, Drouhin produces one of the most consistently elegant expressions of the grand cru, leaning into the Chambolle-Musigny side of the appellation's character while respecting the structural depth that makes Bonnes-Mares one of Burgundy's longest-lived wines.

From the cellar: pair with

Roasted Bresse chicken with black truffle and Madeira sauce

The wine's Morello cherry fruit, peony floral notes, and truffle-and-musk finish create a harmonious pairing with truffle chicken: the floral elegance mirrors the chicken's delicacy while the truffle note in the wine amplifies the fresh truffle preparation.

Roasted duck confit with cherry reduction and lentils du Puy

The 2019 vintage's concentrated Morello cherry fruit and silky tannins hold beautifully against the richness of duck confit, while the cherry reduction mirrors the wine's primary fruit and the lentils echo its earthy depth.

Vacherin Mont d'Or with country bread and black truffle

The truffle and musk notes that develop on the long finish of this Bonnes-Mares find a natural resonance with Vacherin's resinous, earthy character and the truffle's aromatic depth.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 61-64°F (16-18°C)
Decanting: Decant 1 to 2 hours before serving. In 2026 at early peak, the 2019 Bonnes-Mares is accessible with decanting but benefits significantly from air time to open the truffle and musk notes on the long finish. Serve in a large Burgundy glass. The wine continues to improve over 2 to 3 hours after decanting.
Cellar Storage: 55°F (13°C), 60-70% humidity, bottle horizontal through 2043.

Track this bottle Read the Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy guide

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.

Frequently Asked

When is the best time to drink the 2019 Drouhin Bonnes-Mares?

In 2026, the wine is four years into its peak window (2022 to 2043) and drinking well now with generous decanting. However, the truffle and musk complexity that develops on the long finish signals that this wine has many years of increasing complexity ahead. The sweet spot for maximum complexity is likely 2028 to 2035, but the 17-year peak window means every year through 2043 will offer rewarding drinking. Explore the full [Burgundy collection](/wines/region/burgundy) for context.

What is Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru and where does it sit?

Bonnes-Mares is a 15.1-hectare grand cru that straddles the village border of Chambolle-Musigny (where most of the vineyard lies) and Morey-Saint-Denis. This dual-village position gives the appellation a distinctive character: the elegance and florality of Chambolle-Musigny blended with the structural power and depth of Morey-Saint-Denis. Bonnes-Mares is consistently one of Burgundy's longest-lived grand crus, with peak windows extending 20 to 25 years in great vintages. It is neighboring, but distinctly different from, Musigny, the other great grand cru of Chambolle-Musigny.

How long should I decant the 2019 Drouhin Bonnes-Mares?

Decant 1 to 2 hours before serving in 2026. The wine is accessible now but benefits meaningfully from air time, which opens the Morello cherry aromatics and encourages the truffle and musk notes on the finish to emerge. Serve at 61 to 64°F (16 to 18°C) in a large Burgundy glass and allow the wine 2 to 3 hours to fully express itself after decanting.

How does Drouhin's Bonnes-Mares differ from Roumier's Bonnes-Mares?

Domaine G. Roumier is considered the benchmark producer for Bonnes-Mares and produces wines of exceptional concentration and power from a substantial parcel. Drouhin's approach to Bonnes-Mares is characteristically more elegant and Chambolle-influenced, with greater emphasis on florality (peony, violet) and silky tannin texture over raw power. Neither approach is superior; they express different facets of the grand cru. The 2019 vintage amplified both producers' styles. Compare at [Roumier Bonnes-Mares 2018](/wines/domaine-g-roumier/bonnes-mares-grand-cru/2018).

What foods pair best with the 2019 Drouhin Bonnes-Mares?

The wine's Morello cherry fruit, floral peony and violet aromatics, silky tannins, and truffle-and-musk finish call for elegant, aromatic preparations rather than heavily braised dishes. Truffle chicken, duck confit with cherry reduction, or earthy aged cheeses like Vacherin Mont d'Or are ideal. The wine's florality also makes it unusually good with mushroom-forward preparations. Explore more [Pinot Noir pairings](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir).