Domaine André Bonhomme
The wines of André Bonhomme were a happy discovery during our scouting expedition for affordable burgundy at ProWein this year. The estate was founded by André and wife Gisèle in 1956, making it the first domaine of what is now the Viré-Clessé appellation. Back then they just had four hectares of vines which they’d inherited from André’s father Joseph, who grew grapes for the cooperative in the village of Viré. The wines have always been bottled at the domaine, which now extends to 12 hectares of vineyards. These have been organically farmed since 2001 and certified from vintage 2014.
2020 André Bonhomme Viré-Clessé Le Côteau de l’Epinet
L’Epinet is a unique and exceptional climat located at the extreme north of Viré-Clessé, opposite Bonhomme's Quintaine parcel. Planted in 1923, the old roots have been able to express themselves in a microcuvée of around 800 bottles since 2010. The soil here consist of reddish clay with stony outcrops which bring finesse, beautiful ripeness and great length in the mouth. These characters get to shine thanks to a slow, natural, long vinification over 24 months in oak casks. The wines from this climat have a more marked minerality and depth than Quintaine, allided sometimes to a certain austerity in their youth.
Tasting Notes
(just 800 bottles made from 95-year-old vines; the same élevage and oak as the Prêtres de Quintaine):
Pale yellow-gold color. Very ripe aromas of peach, apricot and smoky minerality are a bit more dynamic than those of the Prêtres de Quintaine. Unctuous on entry, then tighter in the middle palate, with very ripe stone fruit flavors accented by spicy oak. This thick but energetic wine shows a distinctly creamy quality for the vintage. Finishes with slowly mounting length and considerable power.
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