Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur

Domaine du Buisson La Baie

The first generation moved to La Sauve Majeure in Entre-Deux-Mers, Gironde, in 1960, when there were just six hectares of vines and some meadows. Now, 22 hectares planted to seven grape varieties, precise craftsmanship and a close-knit family combine to reveal impeccable sense of place in the estate’s red, white and rosé wines.

Fine silt known as ‘boulbènes’ along with clay-limestone make up the majority of soils in the vineyards. ‘Boulbènes’ are acidic, fresh and light but offer strong character. Erosion over a long period of time reveals these silt and fine sand soils along with a small proportion of clay. The clay-limestone, home to a third of the vines, is heavier, more fragmented and more aerated. It ensures the vine puts down very deep roots.

At Domaine du Buisson, winemaking is divided into three groups: the red, white and rosé ‘Classiques’; ‘La Baie’, a precisely defined single-vineyard selection; and ‘La Fleur de Buisson’, a single varietal Merlot gem produced on a boutique scale of 6,000 bottles and aged for 12 months in oak casks.

Tetimonial:

“There are two guiding principles at Domaine du Buisson – we show respect for the soils and the consumer. We have invested considerably in the vineyards and winery to achieve those goals. Our work has been rewarded by numerous accolades and the structure of our range is designed so that it represents the diversity of our vineyards and our expertise. We have achieved that balance”. Jérôme Zaros.

Distinguishing features:

We have been working with Thomas Duclos since 2011. The follow-through work at the laboratory and by the winemaker has consolidated the choices we have made and allowed us to make headway on other projects. Winemaking is a generational occupation – we swim with the constant ebb and flow of the wine industry without succumbing to fads and allowing high-tech winemaking to make a mark on the wines.

WINE FACT SHEETS:

La Fleur du Buisson
Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge

Soils: Clay-limestone.
Varietal range: 100 % Merlot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks.
Price: €7.50 incl. VAT ex-cellar.

Domaine du Buisson « La Baie »
Bordeaux Rouge

Soils: Clay-silt and clay-limestone.
Varietal range: 90 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet sauvignon.
Price: €5 incl. VAT ex-cellar.

Consultant winemaker: Thomas Duclos