1971 Bonnes Mares

The 1971 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has a relatively pale hue with wide tawny rim. The nose is simple given the reputation of the vintage with rustic, earthy red fruit tinged with marmalade and light quince aromas, evolving more loamy scents with aeration twinned with stewed black tea. The palate is ripe on the entry with fine acidity, a little richer than I expected but maintaining impressive harmony. The fruit ebbs away towards the finish leaving it rather masculine and stern but there is a lovely light fig note on the aftertaste and it certainly has more vigor than other vintages from the decade. Tasted at the Roumier vertical in London.