Laurent Ponsot Bonnes Mares Cuvee de l'Amandier 2021

The "Intellectual" Grand Cru from a Cool, Classic Vintage

In early 2026, the 2021 Laurent Ponsot Bonnes Mares (Cuvée de l’Amandier) is being celebrated as a return to the "classical" Burgundy style. After a series of warm, solar years, 2021 provided a cooler growing season that allowed Laurent Ponsot to flex his technical precision. This wine is less about "brute force" and more about translucence, floral complexity, and high-toned energy.

True to Laurent's "avant-garde" philosophy, this wine is made with zero new oak, allowing the limestone-driven terroir of Bonnes Mares to speak without the "makeup" of toasted wood.

The Terroir: Limestone & Iron

• The Vibe: If Le Chambertin is a "king," Bonnes Mares is the "wild aristocrat." It is powerful but untamed, often showing more forest-floor character than the neighboring Chambolle-Musigny.

• The Site: Laurent’s parcels are situated in a prime sector that bridges the two temperaments of Bonnes Mares: the "white" limestone-heavy soil (which provides lift) and the "brown" clay-rich soil (which provides weight).

• The "Amandier" Name: Following his tradition of naming wines after trees, "Cuvée de l'Amandier" (The Almond Tree) reflects the wine's delicate, nutty, and floral undertones.

🍷 Tasting Notes (The "Vibe" in 2026)

Current professional reviews from early 2026 highlight the 2021's "haunting" aromatics and surprising structural depth.

• The Nose: Complex and "Pitched." It leads with a darker fruit spectrum—black cherries and blackberries—rather than red fruit. As it breathes, sophisticated notes of herbal tea, violet, crushed rose, and newly turned earth emerge.

• The Palate: Silky and Taut. The entry is medium-bodied with a "mineral-tight" structure. It possesses impressive volume for a cooler vintage, but it is defined by its vivid acidity and fine-grained, youthfully austere tannins.

• The Finish: Long and Saline. It leaves a persistent trail of spice, licorice, and a stony, chalky grip that suggests immense longevity.

📋 Technical Snapshot

Best Paired With:

• The "Classic" Match: Poularde de Bresse with Truffles; the wine’s earthy, forest-floor notes are a soulmate for poultry and mushrooms.

• The Gamey Choice: Roasted Squab or Duck Breast with a cherry reduction; the dark fruit of the 2021 balances the richness of the game.

• The "Terroir" Match: Wild Mushroom Risotto; the mineral texture of the wine harmonizes with the savory umami of the dish.

Pro Tip: Laurent Ponsot is a pioneer of "intelligent" packaging. In 2026, you can scan the NFC chip in the capsule with your smartphone to verify the bottle's authenticity and check if it has been exposed to improper temperatures during transport. Because of its "austere" youth, decant for 1–2 hours if opening before 2028.