Viniou Reviews
Domaine Bonnardot’s Cuvée L’Âge mûre 2021 from the Hautes Côtes de Nuits AOC is a graceful red wine that embodies the distinct charm of Burgundy. Crafted exclusively from Pinot Noir, Burgundy’s signature grape variety, this cuvée is the result of meticulous vineyard management on elevated parcels that make the Hautes Côtes unique. The 2021 vintage, marked by a relatively cool and challenging growing season, has produced wines of notable freshness and aromatic clarity, with finesse and moderate alcohol. Traditional vinification is likely employed at Domaine Bonnardot, focusing on gentle extraction to preserve the grape’s delicacy and finesse. The wine typically exhibits bright red fruit (raspberry, cherry), subtle floral notes, and a savoury undertone with a fine mineral streak inherited from the region’s limestone soils.
The Hautes Côtes de Nuits sits to the west of the famous Côte de Nuits and enjoys higher elevations and cooler conditions, which contribute freshness and elegance to the wines. The soils here are predominantly limestone and marl, well-suited to Pinot Noir, encouraging vibrant acidity and mineral-driven profiles. Though the region is less storied than its namesake neighbours, it is gaining recognition for its value-driven Pinots, which express both Burgundian typicity and unique, cool-climate character. The climate here prolongs the ripening period, thus promoting aromatic precision and svelte tannins, while the historical winemaking traditions of Burgundy anchor the wines in centuries of expertise.
For food pairing, this Pinot Noir matches beautifully with traditional Burgundian fare such as coq au vin and oeufs en meurette. It also shines with roast poultry, rabbit in mustard sauce, or a mushroom risotto, whose earthiness echoes the wine’s savoury notes. Mature cheeses like Comté or Brie de Meaux enhance its fruit and minerality.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine slightly cool, between 14-16°C, to accentuate its freshness and elegance. If possible, decant for around thirty minutes to allow the wine’s delicate aromatics and gentle structure to unfold gracefully in the glass.
