2021GauthierPereetFilsDomaineduBelAirBourgueilClosNouveauLoire,France

<p>Historically the most prized vineyard in Bourgeuil, belonging to the monks at the local abbey. Located just inside the village limits of Benais where the Gauthier family live and work, Pierre jumped at the chance to restore this abandoned piece of history.</p><p>Soil: SImiar geology to Clos Rougeard’s famed Le Bourg vineyard with thin clay topsoil over tuffeaux limestone. 70 year old vines.</p><p>Viticulture: Farmed organically, grapes are hand harvested. The Gauthiers have replaced the old wooden stakes with traditional slate pickets, fruit trees are vine-trained on the inner walls of the clos, and Clos Nouveau has returned to its once prestigious position in the region.Vinification: Long, slow, cold fermentations of up to 30 days. Both punch downs and pump overs are performed as necessary to manage extraction of flavor and tannin.Aged 24 months on the fine lees in old French oak barrels and demi-muids in a Tuffeaux underground cellar. Bottled unfiltered.Production: Very limited</p>