2020 Clos Bateau Joujou

WINEMAKER: Sylvie & Thierry Klok-de Visser
REGION: Beaujolais, FR
VARIETAL: Gamay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

100% Gamay. The vineyards are 330M above sea level, and the soils are made up of pink granite, clay and quartz. The grapes are macerated whole bunch for 7 days - with direct press Gamay poured over the top to create a semi carbonic maceration. Aged for 7 months in fibreglass tank. Not fined or filtered, and zero added sulphites. You will notice this doesn't have the AOP - they let the branches on the vines grow long and free, as well as plant many fruit and nut trees - frowned upon by the authorities and seen as 'untidy', hence being VDF. Good thing we don't care for these crazy, outdated rules...

A light, rosy red colour – immediately enticing. Lifted, dainty perfume. Macerated strawberries, white pepper and white charcoal. The smell is floral and fluffy, almost like raspberry mousse. There is a hint of watermelon rind, which adds another detail. To taste it is light and almost weightless. It has light raspberry and strawberry fruit. Sweet fruit. Nice tart acidity and a hint of bitter and salt to finish. Overall the wine is soft in the mouth and super smooth. Delicate, yet has very fine detail to it. Ultimately, this is for very easy, enjoyable drinking. Light on both tannin and tension, but high on energy and drinkability!

Sylvie & Thierry Klok-de Visser started their adventure in 2019 when they moved to their domaine in Lantignié, Beaujolais. It’s a small 5.5ha, nature-friendly domaine where they work all year round with just the two of them. With almost all the vineyards and land (totalling 8ha) around their domaine, they are creating a thriving ecosystem. As soon as they arrived, they immediately planted over 100 fruit and nut trees in the vineyards to increase biodiversity. They want to work with nature in harmony, not against it.