Clos de la Bonnette
— Portfolio —
CONDRIEU LEGENDE BONNETTA 2019
Cert Organic
Bottle Shot
Hand picked from younger vines on the granitic slope but still at low yields of 30 hcl/hct. After settling in a vat, the must ferments directly in barrels of 228ltr for about three weeks. The malolactic fermentation is carried out immediately after. Then the aging continues for 11 to 12 months in barrels on fine lees with regular stirring. The bottling takes place after a very light filtration. 1200 to 1800 bottles made each year.
“There’s freshness, depth and a richness of aroma here that many Condrieu lack in 2019. Very full-bodied and rich, but with enough acidity and freshness to balance it. Great intensity, and the salinity that’s required in a hot vintage to help the wine stand up. Long finish. One of the best Condrieus of the vintage. Organic. Lieu-dit Côte Bonnette, dark migmatite granite at the north of the appellation. Twenty-year-old vines on steep slopes. 11 months in barriques, malo completed. Most of the blend is unfiltered, all unfined. 1,950 bottles made” – 95 points – Matt Walls – Decanter
SYRAH VIELLES VIGNES COLLINES RHODANIENNES 2020
Cert Organic
Bottle Shot
The plot is located on the heights of Ampuis, bordering the Côte-Rôtie PDO area (right next to the plateau) with vines now over 40 years old.
As with the Condrieu plot these Syrah vines are worked according to the rules of organic agriculture (certified ECOCERT). After a maceration of about three weeks in vats, the wine is aged in oak barrels of 228ltr. Maturing for 12 months in barrels. The wine is unfined and lightly filtered before bottling.
“100% Syrah, 67% from plateau on Tartaras (mid-1970s, organic, clay-mica-schist soils, 400 metres, soil pH 6.5) and 33% from plain at Tupin (1950, converting to organic, alluvial soils, soil pH 8). Destemmed, 3 week vinification, wild yeasts, daily pumping overs, cap punching, aged used 228-litre oak casks 12 months, unfined, filtered, 2,500-2,700 bottles made” – Updated specifications by John Livingstone-Learmonth – drinkrhone
“This is so much more than just an IGP wine, sourced from old vines and fragrant with ground pepper and wild flowers, raspberries and tangy damson fruit. In the mouth the wine is generously imbued with earthy woodland fruits, spice, dried flowers and aromatic herbs. Pliant yet structured ripe tannins give shape to the wine, whilst a delicious ripe acidity pushed the wine along on the palate” – Lea & Sanderman – UK
COTE ROTIE DAMAS POURPRE 2019
Cert Organic
Bottle Shot
A new Cote Rotie from Clos de la Bonnette in 2019, sourced from a small parcel planted in the 1990’s close to their other Cote Rotie Prenelle.
“100% Syrah (1990s) from 0.4 hectare on gneiss soils on Coteau de Tupin next to Prenelle but lower down the hill. 67% destemmed, 3 week vinification, wild yeasts, daily pumping overs, cap punching, aged used 228-litre % 300-litre oak casks 22 months, unfined, 33% filtered. – Updated specifications by John Livingstone-Learmonth – drinkrhone
“Dark red, purple tints; fruit density on the nose, raspberry, has a sunswept style across the glass, hints of graphite. The palate flows attractively and widely, holds bright red fruits, is good and consistent throughout, ends with layering and rounded tannins, the oak largely inside. There is blood-iron on the second half. This has promise” “The harvest was very belle,” Isabelle Guiller – 4 stars – John Livingstone-Learmonth – drinkrhone
“There are wines that simply grab you by the scruff of the neck and demand your attention and this is one of them. This isn’t shouty, no no, this is much more subtle, insinuating and aromatically captivating. Grated ginger, ground pepper, raspberry and damson start the ball rolling on the fine fragrant nose, with undertones of forest floor and delicate spice. In the mouth the wine saturates the palate with beautifully fresh red fruits, ground spice, dark chocolate, herbs, underbrush and sappy damson. The tannic build is fine and gives grip, never heavy and supported by a lithe fresh acidity. You could drink this pretty much immediately, but with a bit of cellaring it’s bound to get even better” – Lea & Sanderman – UK
COTE ROTIE PRENELLE 2019
Cert Organic
Bottle Shot
The Côte Rôtie Prenelle of Clos de la Bonette is made from 100% Syrah grapes from the Prenelle parcel in the Coteaux du Tupin vineyard in Ampuis.
“(in this 228-litre cask yesterday, malo completed) dark red; raspberry with a note of blackberry and a hum of violet on the nose. This is juicy, forward on the palate, holds good, fluid gras richness, the tannins well in. It’s jaunty, with fruit that criss-crosses it. It’s a bit less refined than the other Rôtie this year, the Damas Pourpre, that debuts this year. It’s loose limbed, continues nicely. There is a vegetal note on the finish. 3,344 bottles made. Drink from 2022. to 2035-37” – John Livingstone-Learmonth – drinkrhone