Domaine Bonnardot Maranges Sur le Bois

Maranges, one of the youngest denominations in the Burgundy wine region (established in 1988), covers three wine-growing communes in the Côte de Beaune: Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Dezize-lès-Maranges and Sampigny-lès-Maranges, and although it does not have the fame of some other Burgundy denominations, its wines are a very good choice for those looking for a high quality Burgundy at a more affordable price. Someone who knows this denomination very well is Elisabeth Bonnardot, daughter of a family who have been making wine since 1470 in Burgundy. Since taking the reins of the family’s historic property, she has dedicated herself to faithfully reflecting the influence of each of the terroirs through organic cultivation and natural winemaking. So, among the 18 denominations she works in, the AOC Maranges is within her influence.

Today it is her sons Ludovic and Emilien Bonnardot who continue her legacy with the same transparency. This is clear to see in their Domaine Bonnardot Maranges Sur le Bois, a red wine made with Pinot Noir from “Sur le Bois”, a 1.5 hectare plot in Cheilly (AOC Maranges), in the middle of a hillside surrounded by other vines. These are old vines aged about 40 years old and planted on clay-loam limestone soils at an altitude of 260 metres above sea level. The grapes are organically cultivated and harvested by hand at the optimum point of ripeness in perforated boxes. In the winery, the berries macerate in cone-shaped wooden vats for 20 to 180 days without adding sulphur or any oenological products. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with native yeasts and the wine then ages for a year in oak barrels. It is bottled without filtering or clarifying.

An exceptional soil and climate combined with a completely respectful working method results in Domaine Bonnardot Maranges Sur le Bois. A unique red wine from one of Burgundy’s youngest, smallest and most underexplored denominations. A real discovery.