2020 Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf du Pâpe Rouge
WINEMAKER: Jean-Paul Versino
REGION: Rhône Valley, FR
VARIETAL: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
VITICULTURE: Organic
"This 2020 is a superb example of what can be achieved at Bois de Boursan and is a wine that will evolve beautifully with careful cellaring over the next 20 or so years, perhaps more. 2020 is a great year in the region and this is a beauty - it's rich, but fresh and supple thanks to the traditional fermentation. It's generous on the palate full with raspberry and dark plum flavours, complexed by leathery, peppery spice and musk on the finish. Already good to drink and a great choice for this winter's fare." - Andrew Guard
Jean-Paul Versino at Bois de Boursan is one of the few growers who stick resolutely to traditional methods and his wines stand out for their wonderfully classical frame and style. This is the Burgundy of the South. The property was founded in 1955 by Jean Versino and continues to be operated today by his son Jean-Paul. This is a modest, 10-hectare property, with all the vineyards located inside the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Vine age spans from 55 to 95 years, with all farming at Bois de Boursan performed organically and without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The property is carved up into 37 small sub-parcels, and while most modern producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape work almost exclusively with Grenache, Jean-Paul works with all 13 permitted varieties for the appellation. This creates a complex mosaic of aromas and textures that is rarely found in the region.
Similarly, vinification for this wine is über-traditional: grapes are left almost entirely in whole clusters (15% were de-stemmed in 2016) with the maceration on skins extending for at least three weeks. This is followed by 24 months in giant, neutral oak foudres.