2015 Michel Guignier 'Au Bon Gres' gamay VDF 750ML
This delightful wine was made from grapes grown in soils of friable granite and degraded sandstone. The vineyard lies between the parcels of Granite and La Bonne Pioche on Michel’s farm.
After semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats this cuvée had two years in foudre and then extended aging in bottle before release, for which we are grateful.
It has great structure, depth and complexity without having sacrificed its life. The tannins have had plenty of time to integrate and create a beautifully balanced wine. It’s a great example of how wines without added sulphites can age well if they are kept in good conditions.
Note that before 2015 Michel rented a plot in Fleurie and the wine he made from there was called Au Bon Grès. So some of the older vintages of Au Bon Grès are labelled with the Fleurie appellation. After he gave up the rented land in 2014 he has continued to use the cuvée name Au Bon Grès (which literally translates as “the good sandstone”) for the wine he now makes from his own property. The soils are similar to the soils in the Fleurie plot and the vinification and aging regime are the same.
