📜 Bonnes-Mares

Bonnes-Mares is a protected designation of origin (PDO, French AOC) for still red wines from the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy, France. The name was first recognised by decree of 8 December 1936, and the current specification (cahier des charges) was approved by decree no. 2011-1685 of 28 November 2011. The name may be followed by the mention "grand cru".

The vineyard lies in the communes of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte-d'Or department. Grapes must come from the delimited parcels approved by the INAO in 1965 and 1988, and harvest, vinification and maturation take place in these two communes. According to the specification, the vineyard covered about 16 hectares in 2008, with an average yearly output of 520 hectolitres.

Pinot Noir is the main variety. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are accessory varieties, allowed only as mixed plantings in the vineyard and limited to 15 % of each parcel. The grape variety may not be stated on the label.

The specification sets a minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare, an average maximum load of 8,000 kg per hectare, a target yield of 42 hl/ha with an upper limit of 49 hl/ha, and a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 11.5 % vol. After enrichment, total alcohol may not exceed 14.5 % vol. Irrigation is prohibited and wood pieces may not be used. Wines are matured at least until 15 June of the year after the harvest and may be sold to consumers from 30 June of that year.

According to the specification, the parcels sit on a gentle shelf at the foot of the Côte, on thin, clay-rich, carbonate soils over Bajocian limestone and marl.