New arrivals
Patrick and Justine, Domaine La Boheme - Saint Georges sur allier, Auvergne
We are delighted to release new wines from Patrick Bouju and Justine Loiseau, including Lulu and the well-loved Festejar – this time both as a blanc and a rosé! The annual tranche of wines we get from Patrick and Justine often remind us of our first meeting with Patrick in 2009 when searching for winemakers in the basalt-rich landscapes surrounding Puy de Dôme.
Using the then little-known village of Chassignolles as our base, we set out knocking on cellar doors. In December that year, on Patrick’s recommendation, we attended Les Dix Vins Cochons in Chateldon, and looking back now at the roster of winemakers we can see how crucial this was not only to our nascent business, but more importantly how much it influenced the way we talk about, think about, and drink wine.
Back then Patrick was working four hectares of mainly Gamay d’Auvergne and Chardonnay on the slopes of Puy de Corent above his home and cellar. These are old vines planted on volcanic soils the region is known for, and the wines that are made from them are beguiling and compelling. Today he is joined in all endeavours by his partner Justine Loiseau.
The last decade has provided several challenging vintages but despite that their wines are now much more readily available to the public, no longer hoarded by thirsty cavistes or hidden away in a wine bar in Bermondsey. Faced with tiny harvests Patrick began working with grapes bought from friends and neighbours across France, with a real sense of experimentation and in the spirit of oenological exploration!
Most of these new arrivals fall under their négociant umbrella, but in this vintage they have started blending fruit from their friends with those from a new parcel that they are tending, situated on the Plateau de Gergovie. All the wines are expressive, not only of their varieties but also of the developing style of Domaine La Bohème.
All wines are available in limited quantities, and are now in our online shop.
THE WINES
The lesser spotted Festejar Blanc! A mix of grapes, some bought from friends with some Chardonnay from new vines in the Auvergne. This is a real delight, full of ripe and round fruit, a touch of toasty/buttery notes, and lovely dense bubbles.
Festejar! Rosé 2023
Made with fruit from new vines on basalt, on the Plateau of Gergovie. This is deep and dark in colour, with delicate bubbles. It’s more dry than previous vintages, and shows off the lovely fresh fruit and bloody complexity of the grape varieties.
Not your typical Picpoul, this has more structure and ripe fruit notes. You feel the warmth of the Southern sun, with some crisp acidity, and a long herbaceous finish.
Mainly Chardonnay from new vines on the Plateau de Gergovie, with Chenin from Anjou (the two Cs) and a little dash of Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine. This is bright and light, full of herbal and soft aromatics.
Made from 100% Pineau d’Aunis from Domaine Delobel in Touraine, the Loire, macerated in whole bunches very briefly. This is light in colour and body, but is full of savoury spice and fresh green tannin.
From new vines Patrick and Justine have been working on the Plateau de Gergovie on basalt soils. This is deeper and darker than the last vintage with some denser fruit from the Gamay. A lovely example of an Auvergnat red.
From very old vines farmed by Domaine de Chevillard in Haute Savoie. This is a touch darker and fuller than the previous vintage, full of the blood and spice we know from Mondeuse, with some ripe brambly fruit.
A 50/50 split of the southern grapes and fruit from the Beaujolais/Auvergne, all vinified separately and then blended. Some inky texture, but full of aromatic fruit and delicate acidity, and fine tannin. Also available in magnums for your festive needs!
Lulu 2022
From one of Patrick and Justine’s older plots on the slopes around Corent (80 years old at least!) planted on basalt. This is aged for about a year in old barrels and stoneware jars on the lees. Spiced and aromatic on the nose, with a lean bloody finish. A wonderful expression of Gamay d’Auvergne.
N.B. Also still available are past vintages of Super B 2021, R 2020, and Cailloux 2021.