Just what makes this premier cru so special? Old vines of course (over 50 years). But also an extraordinary vineyard. There is a rounded hilltop in Marsannay very similar to the one in Gevrey where the top premier crus reside. Boivins, at the top slope center, occupies the same relative position as Combe aux Moines in Gevrey.
The soil is the same, too: Crinoidal limestone (rich in fossilized sea urchins and starfish).
The resulting wine resembles premier cru Gevrey. The Wine Spectator says:
This is deep and saturated, with black cherry, blackberry, mineral and spice flavors. The tannic structure tips this red toward the rustic side, yet this delivers plenty of fruit detail and length. Best from 2021 through 2033.
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