Yesterday afternoon we tasted with Lea Bonnefond, the 26 year old force her family domaine in Côte Rôtie. She’s friendly and quiet, and while her father and uncle are still very much involved, the transition to Léa will be steady and smooth. In a terrific Decanter profile last week, Matt Walls MW calls her wines “triumphant” and considers them “up there with names like M Chapoutier, E Guigal, Domaine de Monteillet and Stéphane Ogier.”
Bonnefond’s 2022s we tasted yesterday were outstanding, a vibrant, beautiful vintage with sophisticated texture and perfect balance. The 2022s will be in this summer’s July Futures, but we’re pleased to report we already have some 2019 back at home in Newton.
Léa’s first vintage back at the family domaine was 2019, and it’s starting to drink beautifully. Bonnefond’s Côte Riotie “Rochins” vineyard immediately abuts the famous La Landonne, and the 2019 is a knockout – look for cloves, black pepper, strawberry jam, cocoa powder and more. Josh Raynolds of Vinous gave 95 points, finding “Palate-coating…vibrancy and lift…extremely long.
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Bonnefond Côte Rôtie “Rochins” 2019
bottle price: $75