Clos des Brusquieres

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Clos des Brusquieres, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone Valley, France

Clos des Brusquieres is one of the few Chateuneuf du Pape producers that makes only one wine. The estate produces a red Chateauneuf du Pape which is usually a blend of grapes that feature 80% , 10% and 10% . The vines are old at close to 85 years of age.Clos des Brusquieres owns 8 hectares of vines in Chateauneuf du Pape. Most of their vines are situated in Brusquieres, hence the name. Some fans of this estate have nicknamed the wine the poor man’s Bonneau, referring to Henri Bonneau. This is because the owner is related to Henri Bonneau. Henri Bonneau is the uncle and godfather to Claude Courtil, the owner. Claude Courtil learned much of what he knows about wine making from Henri Bonneau.


The Terroir


At only eight hectares in size, this miniscule, ultra-traditional estate produces tiny quantities of just one wine: no luxury cuvée, no specialty blend, just a stunningly pure and complex Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Owner Claude Courtil is the godson of none other than Henri Bonneau, one of the most legendary and revered producers in the region.

In The Vineyard


The vineyards are not worked organically, but are treated under the system of lutte raisonnée (Sustainable Viticulture). There is nothing systematic about the winemaking, but outside of the Grenache, up to four varieties are likely to be harvested and vinified together. Usually Claude prefers to de-stem about two-thirds of the crop and conducts a cold pre-fermentation maceration.

The Vegetal


Grenache is the most adapted grape variety , the property is divied in 60 % Grenache, 30 % Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, with an average of 60 years old vines

In The Cellar


 
Henri and Claude share a deeply held commitment to natural winemaking: manual vineyard work, traditional aging in large foudres, and bottling without intrusive fining and filtration.