Pomerol

Clos 56

“We know that one of the Arteau-Bouyer family’s ancestors was a Saint-Emilion ‘Jurat’ in the Middle Ages”, recount Alexia and Pierre Bouyer who have been at the helm of the family property since the mid-1990s and who are perpetuating the spirit of their forebears through the legacy they have been entrusted with.

The vineyards have undergone significant restructuring, increasing planting density to 9,000 vines per hectare, introducing tillage and sustainable soil management. Concurrently with this, the estate has developed HVE or High Environmental Value certification because, as Pierre Bouyer says, “today’s wine grower is creating tomorrow’s viticulture”.

The present-day Domaines Bouyer boast two Saint-Emilion Grand Cru chateaux: Clos de la Cure with its 7 hectares on the finest clay-limestone soils in Saint-Etienne de Lisse and Saint-Christophe des Bardes, and Château Milon, a 13-hectare property on small gravel and lovely sandy-clay soils at the foot of the slopes in Saint-Christophe des Bardes and Saint-Emilion.

Pomerol property Clos 56 is the final piece in the top terroir puzzle, with its 0.56 hectares of very old vines (over 80 years’ old) and clay on gravel soils producing fewer than 3,000 bottles. The vines are farmed organically – but not certified – and precision is the guiding principle for these ‘haute couture-style’ wines which are mostly distributed in the top Paris restaurants.

Pierre and Alexia also manage sales and pound the pavements when work in the vineyard allows them to do so. Loyal European markets, dynamic sales in North America and ambitious goals in short-term emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia and India have made Domaines Bouyer’s wines – grown in the finest Bordeaux Right Bank vineyards – the worthy representatives of the family heritage worldwide.

WINE FACT SHEETS:

Clos de la Cure

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

HVE-certified, sustainably farmed vineyards
Soils: clay-limestone.
Varietal range: 75 % Merlot, 25 % Cabernet franc.
Ageing: 12 to 15 months in casks (50 % new).
Price : €20 approx. including VAT ex-cellar.

Château Milon

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

HVE-certified, sustainably farmed vineyards
Soils: small gravel and lovely sandy-clay at the foot of the slopes.
Varietal range: 75 % Merlot, 25 % Cabernet franc.
Ageing: 12 to 15 months in casks (30 % new).
Price: €16 approx. including VAT ex-cellar.

Clos 56

Pomerol

HVE-certified, sustainably farmed vineyards
Soils: clay-limestone.
Varietal range: 100 % Merlot.
Ageing: 12 to 15 months in casks (50 % new).
Price: €80 approx. including VAT ex-cellar.

Consultant winemaker: Stéphane Toutoundji