Bonnezeaux

Expert reviews

Tasting notes from Wine Enthusiast

From the appellation that is at a summit of Loire sweet wines, this golden wine balances intense acidity with intense botrytis and honey flavors. Ripe peaches and pineapples dominate the fruit profile of this concentrated, beautiful wine. It is just approaching its peak, so wait a little longer, until 2018.

— Château de Fesles 2011 Vin Rare (Bonnezeaux) (95/100)

A powerfully concentrated wine, its ripe yellow fruits smoothly filling the mouth with their unctuous honeyed character. Ginger and other spices add an edge to this gorgeous, full wine that needs aging over many years.

— Château la Varière 2009 Les Roches (Bonnezeaux) (93/100)

A gold-colored wine, intensely sweet and with intense acidity. The combination gives a wine that is lemon and honey in a glass. There is a liquorous feel to the smooth texture. And it is still very young. Drink after 2017.

— Château la Varière 2011 Les Melleresses (Bonnezeaux) (92/100)

A super-rich wine, almost over the top in its honeyed intensity. It is opulent, generous, packed with ripe yellow fruits, mango and pineapple. The wine is so rich that it is hard to find the acidity, but it is there in the orange marmalade flavor right at the end.

— Château la Varière 2009 Les Melleresses (Bonnezeaux) (91/100)

Packed with botrytis, the wine has great concentration, balanced with freshness. Orange zest is touched with liquid honey, and finished with a rich lemon character.

— Château de Fesles 2007 Bonnezeaux (91/100)

Score & price analysis

Position in the Loire

Among the highest-rated Loire Valley appellations.

Flavor profile

Descriptors most frequently associated with this appellation across aggregated expert reviews:

• honey
• rich
• lemon
• orange
• apple
• pineapple
• honeyed
• peach

Appellation summary

Source: Wine Enthusiast expert reviews. Updated: April 14, 2026.