2002 Patrick Lesec Bonnes Mares

Patrick Lesec is a negociant specializing in wines of the Rhone Valley. His portfolio includes numerous wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone and Vacqueyras. Though the blends and sources vary from vintage to vintage, Robert M. Parker Jr. has been highly complimentary. “Patrick Lesec has an impressive, wide-ranging negociant portfolio of Rhone wines, with his strengths being his Cotes du Rhone, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Chateauneuf-du-Pape selections….Lesec has a talent for securing high-quality wine and treating it carefully, with minimal manipulation.”

Bonnes Mares is a Grand Cru vineyard that is located in two appellations Chambolle-Musigny and the neighboring Morey St.-Denis. Of the total of 37.6 acres, 33.75 are in Chambolle, and just under 4 acres are in Morey St. Denis. The history of the vineyard is complicated and today there are some 35 landholders. The vineyard lies between 265 and 300 meters. The soil is heavier toward Morey St.-Denis, which is the northern end of the vineyard, and lighter as the vineyard enters the Chambolle-Musigny commune. Principal landholders are De Vogue, 6.7 acres; Drouhin-Laroze, 3.7 acres; and Georges Roumier, 3.5 acres.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.