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Bonnezeaux
Bonnezeaux is a Grand Cru from
the Coteaux du Layon appellation, as is Quarts du Chaume. Good Bonnezeaux is
rich and perfumed, with a ripeness that is balanced by refreshing lemon acidity.
It can generally be drunk young, although it ages beautifully. Bonnezeaux can be
served as an aperitif or dessert wine, and goes particularly well with fruit
desserts.
Cuvee
Zenith
1997
$79.99
limited
"The show-stopping 1997 Bonnezeaux Cuvee Zenith has gone from being
massive, disjointed and difficult to assess, to being harmonious, intense, and
sublime. Aromatically revealing spicy yellow fruits of exquisite ripeness, this
is a medium-to-full-bodied, powerful, and explosive wine. Copious quantities of
spicy bergamots, flowers, almonds, perfume, caramelized minerals, and tropical
fruits can be found in its layered, velvety texture. Renou was somehow able to
marry 1997's awesome density and depth of fruit with virtually perfect levels of
acidity, creating a blockbuster-sized wine of great equilibrium and freshness.
Bravo! Projected maturity: now-2050+.? 97 Robert Parker, The Wine
Advocate #124
1999
$76.99 limited
2000
$76.99 limited
Cuvee
Anne
1997
$57.99
very
limited
?The 1997 Bonnezeaux Cuvee Anne will be this wine's last vintage as an
Alsatian producer who owns the rights to the name Anne has threatened legal
action. It offers superb aromatics of almonds and flowers as well as an
oily-textured character of impeccable purity and precision. This is a stunning,
medium-to-full-bodied wine, offering massive density and ripeness, exquisite
balance, as well as multidimensional layers of apricots, mangoes, quince, and
spices. Anticipated maturity: now-2040+.? 95 Robert Parker, The Wine
Advocate #124
Cuvee
Beauregard
1997
$34.99
very
limited
?Renou's single vineyard and special cuvees are only available in 500ml
bottles. The 1997 Bonnezeaux Beauregard, from a terroir dominated by schist and
clay, displays vibrant candied almond scents. It is an elegant, medium-bodied,
and harmonious wine with flavors reminiscent of the scrumptious marzipan-based
candies. As this beauty evolves with cellaring, it may well develop enough
complexity to merit an outstanding score. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.?
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
#124
Cuvee
Montagne
1997
$34.99
very
limited
?Produced from soils made up of schist and gravel, the 1997 Bonnezeaux La
Montagne has bergamot and floral aromas that give way to a masculine,
broad-shouldered character. Its profound medium-to-full body is densely packed
with caramelized minerals, fresh clay, and yellow fruit flavors that last on the
palate for 40+ seconds. Complex and structured, it has the requisite balance for
extensive cellaring. Projected maturity: now-2025+.? 93 Robert Parker,
The Wine Advocate #124
Cuvee
Melleresses
1997
$34.99 very
limited
"Renou's 1997 Bonnezeaux Les Melleresses is sensational, and the finest of
his single vineyard offerings (its vineyard is planted on pure schist). It
exhibits superb purity in its delicate, feminine, flower-dominated aromatics.
This wine is magnificently fresh, delineated, and precise. It saturates the
palate with honeysuckle blossoms, refined citrus fruit flavors, and tangy
apricots. It is medium-to-full-bodied, extraordinarily persistent and
harmonious, and should be easily capable of lasting for 35 years or more."
94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #124
1999
$39.99 very
limited
2000
$39.99 limited
Cuvee
Tri di Vendange
1997
$21.49
very
limited
?The 1997 Bonnezeaux Tri de Vendanges offers gorgeously fresh marzipan and
white flower aromas. It is flavorful, well-crafted, focused, and has excellent
equilibrium. This quince and sweet mineral-flavored wine should be consumed over
the next 14 years.? Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #124
1998
$16.99
very limited
?The straw-colored 1998 Bonnezeaux Tri de Vendange reveals hints of gold in
its hues. Its smoke and apricot-scented nose leads to a sweet, honeyed, mineral,
floral, and limestone-dominated character. Medium-bodied and softly textured,
this is a well-made and delicious wine for drinking over the next 4-5 years.?
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
#130
1999
$22.99 available
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