Domaine HENRI BONNEAU - Les rouliers 2019
Domaine Henri Bonneau is located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the Southern Rhône. Henri Bonneau, who passed away in 2016, was the 12th-generation winemaker of his family. The estate consists of 6 hectares of vineyards located in various Châteauneuf-du-Pape sites, including the esteemed La Crau plot. There are three cuvées: the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Marie Beurrier, the Réserve des Célestins and Les Rouliers, a Vin de France. Henri Bonneau's vineyards are planted predominantly with Grenache. The farming practices specifically produce low yields and the fruit is harvested relatively late for the region. The winemaking process generally avoids destemming (except in poor vintages) and fermentation takes place in cement vats. The wines are then aged in large, old barrels.
Les Rouliers is a blend of Grenache (80%) and Cinsault (20%). It comes from a 2.5-hectare Gard vineyard acquired in 2001. This wine officially has the right to be marketed under the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation, but Henri Bonneau decided to opt instead for a classification Vin de France. Like the rest of the estate's wines, Les Rouliers has benefited from a long aging in barrels.
Grape varieties: 80% Grenache, 20% Cinsault