critic reviews
Bonalgue is a property of 9 ha with three terroirs: gravelly, clay, and sand. The 2023 is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with energetic scents of fresh redcurrants, juicy raspberries, and blackberries, giving way to underlying suggestions of wild thyme and Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is racy and taut, with lightly chewy tannins and a lifted finish.
Highly perfumed nose, this kicks off with spiced plum followed by fresh blackberry fruits, nothing too intense on the palate, well-judged balance in terms of structured tannins and acidity, gorgeous freshness overall, juicy finish. Harvest September 4 to October 2. 3.55ph, 45% new oak.
The 2023 Bonalgue suffered more mildew pressure than its stablemate, Clos du Clocher. The yield had to be carefully managed. Picked from September 4 to October 2, it has a pastille-like purity on the nose with notes of blackcurrant and strawberry. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit laced with graphite. Linear in style with a strict finish, it will require four to five years in bottle just to shave its edges. Fine.