Maison Bonnard
Crept, Bugey
The Maison Bonnard was founded in 1988, when brothers Roland and Frédéric Bonnard claimed one hectare under vines out of their parents’ farming estate. Thirty years later, the estate is 15-hectar larger and it’s overseen by a new generation of growers and winemakers, Anne-Sophie and Romain, who join the ranks and bring their flair and passion. At the heart of Bugey, nestled between the Savoie and the Rhône Valley, is the small village of Crept. There, the raw beauty of the scenery reveals a contrasted landscape with breathtaking views.
Over the years, they’ve uncovered terroirs that speak to them and enable them to create wines they’re truly passionate about. Their vines are planted on the rugged slopes of Montagnieu, clinging onto cliffs with as much as 70% inclination, where they found biodynamic practices were their best chance at revealing their terroir most authentically. The calcareous soil suits Pinot Noir and Mondeuse, while deep clays flatter Mondeuse. Where the two meet, on a bed of fine pebbles, Chardonnay and Gamay thrive. Both in the vineyard and the cellar, nature prevails. The resulting wines display an absolute purity of character and proudly show their alpine typicity
Savoie is getting noticed for the dynamism of its young and talented grower-winemakers who are delivering consistency and complexity, year in year out. We’re pleased to represent such talent incarnated in Maison Bonnard in Australia.
2018 Bugey ‘Montagnieu’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
This fresh and fruit-driven sparkling wine comes from steep hillside vineyards of the Bugey AOC, rooted in clay-limestone soils. The vines are farmed biodynamically and organically. In the cellar, too, Nature prevails.
Winemaking:
This blend of Chardonnay (95%) and Rousette (5%) is made in the traditional method. The wine is aged on lees for 3 years. No additives are used other than SO2 at bottling.
Tasting Notes:
A Brut style crémant with a vinous and youthful character, vibrant floral and stone fruit notes and a sweet almond meal texture stroking the palate delicately. The finish is poised with a lemon sherbet tartness. Refreshing and morish.
2021 Bugey Les Bonnes Chardonnay
This Chardonnay is grown on steep, rocky vineyards in the heart of the Bugey appellation, which confer it minerality and opulence. It has so much in common with the most delectable Chablis, and a promising future with that.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged in 3-to-4-year-old barrels for 10 months.
Tasting Notes:
Intense aromas of toasted almonds, acacia flower, and brioche fill the nose and extend on the medium-bodied, flavourful palate. It’s full of verve, intense citrus and stone fruit flavours, and a striking acid line carrying on endlessly.
2021 Bugey ‘La Brive’ Chardonnay
Bugey La Brive is unoaked, it is a fresh and fruit-driven expression of Chardonnay that highlights Bugey’s Alpine character. The fruit grows on clay-limestone soils that are organically and biodynamically farmed. The plot is located right above the Brive river.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was further aged in stainless steel tanks on lees for 12 months. It was unfined and lightly filtered.
Tasting Notes:
You won’t find a more straightforward expression of Chardonnay from Bugey - clear, crisp and pleasantly acidic with grapefruit, lime and tart Grany Smith apple characters deeply engrained on the palate - it’s effortlessly thirst quenching and has a bit of funk adding even more drinking appeal.
2020 Roussette de Montagnieu Blanc
Roussette de Montagnieu, has been a recognized Bugey cru since 2009. Blue clay dominates the area where the variety grows, resulting in wines that stand out for their aromatic intensity and smoothness.
Winemaking:
This wine is made of 100% Roussette grapes. The fruit was hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented naturally in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged on lees in stainless steel tanks for 18 months, then lightly filtered before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
It is unctuous and complex with intense aromas of orange blossom, quince, even lightly oxidative characters, and especially earthy truffle notes that do a lot for its gourmet feel. It has a forthright acidity and slight apricot kernel bitterness that make for a long and intriguing finish.
2022 Gamay ‘Les Arcs’
100% Gamay from Clay-limestone soil on the steepest slopes of the village of Crept, Bugey. From a Organic and Biodynamic Vineyard.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand harvested in whole bunch. Manual harvest in whole bunch. Vinified in carbonic maceration for 6 days Aging for 12 months in stainless steel tank.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, it offers fresh and fruity aromas of cherry, raspberry, blackberry and delicate floral notes. On the palate, this wine is light and fresh, with soft tannins and lively acidity. The flavors of crisp red fruits, sour cherry, strawberry and light spicy notes unfold with elegance. The finish is lively and refreshing.
2022 Pinot Noir ‘Les Gravelles’
100% Pinot Noir from Clay-limestone soil on the steepest slopes of the village of Crept, Bugey. From a Organic and Biodynamic Vineyard.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand harvested in whole bunch, 85% destemmed. Cold maceration for 2-3 days; following maceration for 10 days. Aging for 12 months in stainless steel tank.
Tasting Notes:
A brilliant garnet red color. Anose of cherry and morellocherry, faithful to the grapevariety. Aged in stainless steel tank,the Pinot expresses itselfwith great purity, offeringpredominantly floral aromasand notes of forest fruits,accompanied by a fine tannicstructure.
2021 Mondeuse de Montagnieu Rouge
This Mondeuse hails from hillside vineyards in the heart of Bugey.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand harvested. 85% was destemmed and cold macerated for 3 days, followed by 15 days of maceration. The wine was aged in 3- to 4-year-old barrels for 10 months.
Tasting Notes:
This wine has a vibrant ruby colour with a bright purple rim. It is deep and dark fruited, with blackberry, cherry, and a stark acidity and tannic grip reminiscent of baking spices and plum skins. It drinks beautifully in its youth but promises to develop in complexity over time.
2020 Racine de Mondeuse Rouge
The Racine de Mondeuse is making its debut after one of the warmest and driest vintages on record, resulting in fruit generosity and originality. Mondeuse is a rustic alpine variety that seduces by its minerality, peppery aromatics and liquorice sweetness.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand harvested in single crates to minimise juicing and spoilage. The bunches were macerated for 10 days, then pressed and transferred to stainless steel using gravity, where it was fermented naturally and left to rest for 9 months. The wine was then aged in oak for 3 months and bottled with minimal filtration and SO2.
Tasting Notes:
This wine has a bright ruby colour. The nose is filled with peppery spice, rhubarb and strawberry compote aromas. It has a rustic appeal, a just-ripe-strawberry acidity and chalky tannins lingering on the palate.