Vin de France Pinot noir Patrick Bouju La Bohème 2011

We find Domaine Patrick Bouju in Auvergne, near the Puy de Dôme. Here are cultivated mature vines across the communes of Corent, Lempdes, le Puy d’Anzelles, Billom, and Egliseneuve-près-Billom, with the oldest plants dating back almost 120 years. The vintner who gave his name to the domain boasts of quite a variety of grapes, including various kinds of Gamay, including Bouze and Fréau, as well as Limberger and Mirefleurien. Bouju sees this as a richness that counteracts a certain homogeneity in the world of wine. Grass is allowed to grow in the vineyards, natural treatments are used (copper, fermented plant extracts, tisane), and the work is carried out entirely by hand. In the cellar, the same philosophy is applied. Grapes are vinified parcel by parcel using only native yeasts; this helps to preserve the identity of the original terroir. This hands-off approach leads to the creation of natural and flavourful cuvées.