Bonnaire Terroirs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV – 92 Points | Champagne

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN! 17/20 JANCIS ROBINSON! 92 POINTS FALSTAFF! 100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY! THREE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT GRAND CRU VILLAGES! THREE YEARS ON LEES! THE MAGNIFICENT BONNAIRE TERROIRS BLANC DE BLANCS – JUST $135!

92 Points – John Gilman | 17/20 – Jancis Robinson | 92 Points – Falstaff

Bonnaire Terroirs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV – Champagne, France

RRP $135 per bottle

NOW THIS IS THE SORT OF GROWER CHAMPAGNE THAT GETS US VERY EXCITED AT LIQUID VIBE!

Forget enormous advertising budgets.

Forget celebrity endorsements.

Forget paying for a famous label.

This is about extraordinary vineyards.

Beautiful Chardonnay.

Generations of winemaking knowledge.

And a family-owned Champagne producer based in one of the greatest Chardonnay villages in the world.

CRAMANT!

And the numbers behind this Champagne are seriously impressive.

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN!

17/20 JANCIS ROBINSON!

92 POINTS FALSTAFF!

100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY!

CRAMANT GRAND CRU!

CHOUILLY GRAND CRU!

OIRY GRAND CRU!

36 MONTHS MINIMUM ON LEES!

JUST 4 g/L DOSAGE IN THE CURRENT RELEASE!

RRP $135!

Think fresh lemons.

Ripe pears.

Crisp green apples.

Delicate apple blossom.

Toasted almonds.

Fresh brioche.

And a magnificent chalky, saline finish.

This is exactly what makes great Blanc de Blancs Champagne so compelling.

Purity.

Precision.

Beautiful texture.

And an extraordinary expression of Chardonnay grown on the chalk soils of the Côte des Blancs.

THREE GRAND CRU VILLAGES. ONE EXTRAORDINARY GROWER CHAMPAGNE.

Champagne Bonnaire – A Family Estate in the Heart of Cramant

The story of Champagne Bonnaire is one of family, vineyards and a remarkable commitment to Chardonnay.

The family estate traces its history to 1932.

And its home is Cramant.

Now that is an exceptionally important detail.

Because Cramant is not simply another Champagne village.

It is one of the great Chardonnay villages of the Côte des Blancs.

A place where the chalk-rich soils produce wines of extraordinary finesse.

Wonderful mineral character.

And remarkable elegance.

For generations, the Bonnaire family has worked with the vineyards of this celebrated region.

Today, Jean-Étienne and Jean-Emmanuel Bonnaire are associated with the family's continuing winemaking tradition.

And their Champagnes demonstrate why the best grower producers are so exciting.

Rather than relying on the enormous resources of a multinational Champagne house, the focus is on the vineyards.

The quality of the fruit.

And the individuality of the terroir.

A FAMILY CHAMPAGNE ESTATE ROOTED IN CRAMANT – ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHARDONNAY VILLAGES!

Terroirs – Three Extraordinary Grand Cru Villages

Now here's where this Champagne becomes particularly interesting.

THREE GRAND CRU VILLAGES!

Not ordinary village vineyards.

Not Premier Cru.

GRAND CRU!

The grapes come from Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry.

All three are situated in the northern Côte des Blancs.

And all three are renowned for producing exceptional Chardonnay.

Each village contributes something distinctive.

Cramant brings finesse and texture.

Chouilly contributes beautifully expressive fruit.

And Oiry adds freshness and mineral definition.

Together, they create a Champagne with wonderful balance.

A Champagne that is both generous and precise.

THREE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY TERROIRS – ALL IN ONE BOTTLE!

Cramant Grand Cru – Extraordinary Finesse and Texture

Let's start with Cramant.

Because this is where Champagne Bonnaire is based.

And it is one of the most celebrated villages in the entire Côte des Blancs.

Cramant's vineyards are renowned for producing Chardonnay with beautiful finesse.

Delicate white flowers.

Fresh citrus.

Ripe orchard fruit.

And a wonderfully refined texture.

But what really distinguishes great Cramant Chardonnay is its combination of mineral precision and creamy richness.

The wines can be wonderfully elegant.

Yet possess remarkable depth.

And that character is an important part of Bonnaire Terroirs.

CRAMANT GRAND CRU – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT SOURCES OF ELEGANT CHARDONNAY!

Chouilly Grand Cru – Beautiful Fruit and Harmony

The second component comes from Chouilly.

CHOUILLY GRAND CRU!

Another exceptional Chardonnay village.

Chouilly is celebrated for producing wines with beautiful fruit expression.

Ripe pears.

Fresh apples.

Citrus.

And delicate floral notes.

Its Chardonnay can be wonderfully generous.

But still retain the freshness and mineral character that define the Côte des Blancs.

In the Terroirs blend, Chouilly helps create the wine's attractive fruit profile.

And contributes to its wonderfully harmonious palate.

CHOUILLY GRAND CRU – BEAUTIFUL FRUIT, GENEROSITY AND FINESSE!

Oiry Grand Cru – Chalk, Freshness and Mineral Precision

The third component comes from Oiry.

OIRY GRAND CRU!

This is another highly respected Chardonnay village.

And it plays an important role in the Champagne's overall balance.

Oiry's chalk-rich soils help produce wines with beautiful freshness.

Citrus tension.

And distinctive mineral character.

Think lemon zest.

Green apple.

And a wonderfully clean, saline finish.

These qualities are particularly important in a Champagne that combines three different Grand Cru terroirs.

Because they bring energy and precision.

OIRY GRAND CRU – EXTRAORDINARY FRESHNESS AND CHALKY MINERALITY!

100% Chardonnay – The Extraordinary Elegance of Blanc de Blancs

Now here's one of the defining features of this wine.

100% CHARDONNAY!

Not a drop of Pinot Noir.

Not a drop of Meunier.

Just Chardonnay from three extraordinary Grand Cru villages.

This is what Blanc de Blancs is all about.

Purity.

Elegance.

Freshness.

And a beautiful expression of place.

Chardonnay is capable of producing some of Champagne's most refined wines.

The best examples possess delicate citrus and floral characters when young.

But with maturation, they develop extraordinary complexity.

Toasted nuts.

Brioche.

Honey.

And subtle savoury notes.

Bonnaire Terroirs combines that wonderful freshness with the additional depth created by extended lees ageing.

100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY – PURE CÔTE DES BLANCS ELEGANCE!

Stainless Steel Vinification – Preserving the Character of the Vineyards

Another important part of the winemaking is the use of stainless steel.

The base wines are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

This helps preserve the natural fruit character of the Chardonnay.

Fresh citrus.

Ripe orchard fruit.

And delicate floral aromas.

It also allows the mineral character of the vineyards to remain beautifully expressive.

The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation.

This helps soften the acidity and contributes to the Champagne's wonderfully creamy texture.

The result is a wine that combines freshness with a beautifully rounded palate.

PURE CHARDONNAY FRUIT – WITH MAGNIFICENT TEXTURE AND BALANCE!

36 Months on Lees – Three Years of Patient Maturation

Now here's another detail that makes this Champagne particularly appealing.

36 MONTHS MINIMUM ON LEES!

THREE YEARS!

After the base wines are blended, the Champagne undergoes its second fermentation in bottle.

It then spends at least three years ageing on its lees.

This is a particularly important stage in the production of great Champagne.

Because the lees contribute additional complexity.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted almonds.

Delicate pastry.

And subtle savoury notes.

They also help create a beautifully integrated mousse.

The bubbles become finer.

The texture becomes more refined.

And the palate develops additional depth.

But what makes Bonnaire Terroirs so impressive is that it retains wonderful freshness.

The citrus remains vibrant.

The fruit remains beautifully defined.

And the chalky mineral finish provides remarkable precision.

THREE YEARS ON LEES – BEAUTIFUL COMPLEXITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING FRESHNESS!

Just 4 g/L Dosage – Extra Brut Precision

Now here's another particularly exciting detail.

JUST 4 GRAMS PER LITRE!

The current release of Bonnaire Terroirs has a dosage of just 4 g/L.

That places it firmly in the Extra Brut category.

Dosage is the small addition made after disgorgement to balance the finished Champagne.

And at just 4 g/L, the emphasis is firmly on purity.

Freshness.

And the natural character of the Chardonnay.

The wine possesses wonderful fruit concentration.

But the finish remains beautifully dry.

Precise.

And mineral.

This is exactly the sort of balance that makes Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne so compelling.

JUST 4 g/L DOSAGE – MAGNIFICENT CHALKY PRECISION!

92 Points – John Gilman

AN OUTSTANDING ENDORSEMENT OF THIS GRAND CRU GROWER CHAMPAGNE!

17/20 – Jancis Robinson

ANOTHER EXCELLENT RESULT!

92 Points – Falstaff

92 POINTS FALSTAFF!

FURTHER RECOGNITION FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL GRAND CRU BLANC DE BLANCS!

Fresh Apples, Ripe Pears, Toasted Almonds and Extraordinary Chalky Minerality

Now this is where Bonnaire Terroirs really comes into its own.

In the glass, the Champagne displays a beautiful pale-gold colour.

The bubbles are fine.

And the mousse is wonderfully elegant.

The aromas are fresh and inviting.

Crisp green apples.

Ripe pears.

Fresh lemon.

And delicate apple blossom.

Then come the more complex characters.

Toasted almonds.

Fresh brioche.

And subtle pastry.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully balanced.

There is wonderful fruit concentration.

A creamy mid-palate.

And beautifully integrated acidity.

The Chardonnay provides freshness and elegance.

The extended lees ageing contributes additional texture.

And the three Grand Cru villages create a wonderfully complex mineral profile.

The finish is long.

Fresh.

Chalky.

And beautifully saline.

A MAGNIFICENT COMBINATION OF FRESHNESS, CREAMINESS AND GRAND CRU MINERAL PRECISION!

A Magnificent Champagne for Seafood

One of the great attractions of Bonnaire Terroirs is its ability to complement seafood.

Its combination of fresh acidity, creamy texture and chalky minerality makes it an outstanding food Champagne.

Fresh Oysters

The Champagne's mineral character complements the natural salinity of oysters.

Kingfish Crudo

Beautiful with lemon, olive oil and delicate herbs.

Hokkaido Scallops

The wine's freshness complements the natural sweetness of scallops.

Blue Swimmer Crab

A magnificent pairing with delicate crab dishes.

Fresh Australian Prawns

Wonderful with lemon and a little sea salt.

Sashimi and Sushi

The clean, mineral palate makes this an excellent match.

Grilled Whiting

Beautiful with simple lemon butter.

Goat's Cheese

The citrus freshness complements the tangy character of fresh goat's cheese.

Serve at approximately 8–10°C to appreciate its freshness and precision.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we are particularly excited by grower Champagnes that offer exceptional vineyard pedigree and genuine individuality.

And Bonnaire Terroirs delivers exactly that.

First, there is the producer.

A FAMILY-OWNED GROWER CHAMPAGNE ESTATE BASED IN CRAMANT!

Then there are the vineyards.

THREE GRAND CRU VILLAGES!

Then there is the grape variety.

100% CHARDONNAY!

Then there is the maturation.

36 MONTHS MINIMUM ON LEES!

Then there is the dosage.

JUST 4 g/L IN THE CURRENT RELEASE!

Then come the scores.

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN!

17/20 JANCIS ROBINSON!

92 POINTS FALSTAFF!

And finally, there is the price.

JUST $135 A BOTTLE!

This is exactly the sort of Champagne we love introducing to customers.

A genuine grower Champagne.

From one of the world's greatest Chardonnay regions.

Made with fruit from three extraordinary Grand Cru villages.

And offering a magnificent combination of elegance, texture and mineral precision.

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN. 17/20 JANCIS ROBINSON. THREE GRAND CRU VILLAGES. 100% CHARDONNAY. JUST $135.

Bonnaire Terroirs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs – a magnificent expression of the Côte des Blancs and an outstanding example of grower Champagne.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Bonnaire

• Wine: Terroirs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs

• Vintage: Non-Vintage

• Region: Champagne, France

• Village: Cramant, Côte des Blancs

• Estate History: Family estate dating to 1932

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Vineyard Classification: 100% Grand Cru

• Vineyard Origins: Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry

• Production: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Vinification: Temperature-controlled stainless steel

• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes

• Lees Ageing: Minimum 36 months

• Dosage: 4 g/L for the current Extra Brut release; earlier Brut releases have been documented at 7 g/L

• Style: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut for the current release

• 2021 Base Release: Disgorged February 2025, according to John Gilman's review

• Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

• Aromas: Green apple, pear, lemon, apple blossom, toasted almond and brioche

• Palate: Creamy and refined, with fresh acidity, fine mousse and a long chalky finish

• Published Critic Scores: 92 Points – John Gilman; 17/20 – Jancis Robinson; 92 Points – Falstaff (reviews of potentially different releases)

• RRP: $135 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Oysters, scallops, kingfish, crab, prawns, sushi and grilled fish

• Serving Temperature: 8–10°C

• Drinking: Beautiful now, with further development possible under suitable cellaring conditions