Domaine Robert Groffier - Bonnes-Mares 'Grand Cru' 1982

Introduction - The Domaine Robert Groffier winery

Domaine Robert Groffier is a shining star in the firmament of great Burgundy wine estates. With an impressive history dating back to the early 19th century, the estate is now run by the fourth generation of the family, Nicolas Groffier, grandson of the founder Robert Groffier.

The 8-hectare estate is based in Morey-Saint-Denis, but sources its grapes from the most prestigious vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin. Its most important flagship is the Premier Cru site Les Amoureuses, where Groffier is by far the largest landowner. But not only there - the domaine also owns valuable parcels in the large Grand Crus such as Bonnes-Mares and Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze.

A decisive milestone in the history of the estate was in 1972, when Robert Groffier became the first member of the family to bottle the wines himself and market them under his own name.This decision marked the rise of the traditional family business to become one of the most sought-after names in Burgundy. Robert Groffier's wines are known for their early maturity, their dense yet elegant tannins and their unmistakable fruit.

The Bonnes-Mares vineyard - a select terroir

The Bonnes-Maresvineyard is one of the 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy and one of the two crown jewels of Chambolle-Musigny. It differs fundamentally from its famous neighbour Musigny.

• Location & climate: It lies to the north of the village of Chambolle-Musigny and covers around 90% of its territory, with the remainder belonging to the neighbouring commune of Morey-Saint-Denis.

• Soil: While Musigny is known for its feminine, floral wines, Bonnes-Mares produces more powerful, structured and masculine wines. This is due to the unique soil mix: a mixture of calcareous soils, marl and the dark, iron oxide-rich "Terres Rouges" (red earths)[18†L5-L7] These soils ensure greater concentration, a firmer tannin structure and a pronounced mineral energy.

• Domaine Groffier in Bonnes-Mares: The domaine owns a contiguous plot of almost 1 hectare in this location, which is a rarely large parcel by Burgundy standards.

The 1982 vintage - a hot summer, but only a few great survivors

The 1982 vintage was one of the warmest and driest of the 20th century, witha long, hot summer leading to a rich harvest and unusually high alcohol levels. Many winegrowers in Burgundy produced wines in 1982 that were already accessible and charming in their youth.

The great challenge of the 1982 vintage, however, was its storability. Spectacular reports from this period paint a mixed picture: "Many wines were pleasant to drink young, but few have aged well. " Most 1982s did not age well and are now well past their prime. Only the best vineyard sites (Grands Crus) and the best producers (such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) achieved the rare balance between accessibility and longevity.

This experience underlines why top wines such as Robert Groffier's productions are so crucial in outstanding years. However, the market situation shows that even the flagship site Bonnes-Mares1982 is no longer traded and seems to have virtually disappeared from the market. None of the major wine auction houses currently list this wine. It has become an absolute rarity for private collectors.

Tasting notes & drinking forecast - A drink to remember

Direct tasting notes for the 1982 Bonnes-Mares are no longer available, which only emphasises the legendary status of this wine. It has long since outgrown the "auction bubbles" into the realm of private collections. Nevertheless, the countless tastings of recent vintages paint a consistent and impressive picture:

• Bouquet (nose): The nose is intense and complex. It offers aromas of ripe black cherries, blackberries, violets, forest floor, undergrowth (sous-bois), sweet spices and even a little smokiness. The elegance and power of the bouquet is often described as "ko".

• Palate (flavour): The wine is full-bodied, dense and powerful, yet incredibly elegant. The tannin structure is fine-grained, supple and silky. This combination of power and finesse is the hallmark of Groffier's Bonnes-Mares. A lively, precise acidity provides freshness and structure.

• Finish: The finish is exceptionally long, complex and harmonious. It glides effortlessly from the ripe fruit into spicy and earthy tones. The wine is not just a drinking experience, but a meditation.

Market presence & value (as of 2026)

The Domaine Robert Groffier - Bonnes-Mares 'Grand Cru' 1982 is not available from regular retailers. It is an absolute rarity for private collectors and all available information indicates that this wine has completely disappeared from the open market. The market value (as of May 2026) can therefore no longer be determined on the basis of a listed price. It could only be realised in a private auction at the purest "collector's hearse price".

Conclusion - A lost jewel of Burgundy's history

The Domaine Robert Groffier - Bonnes-Mares 'Grand Cru' 1982is far more than just a wine. It is a living testimony to Burgundy's wine history. It combines the prestigious terroir of one of Burgundy's most important sites, the cultivation skills of one of the most respected wine estates of its era, the extreme and demanding 1982 vintage and the pure, concentrated flavours of a mature top site to create a wine of the greatest rarity.

The fact that this wine is practically impossible to find on the market today testifies to its cult status and its importance as a collector's itempar excellence. For the connoisseur who is lucky enough to taste a bottle in a private setting, the 1982 Groffier Bonnes-Mares offers a flavour experience that is hard to beat in terms of its depth, power and harmonious finesse.