Vins de la Madone I.G.P. Urf Les Rougeots du Clos 2021

Les Rougeots du Clos is a single, one-hectare plot at 600 metres co-planted to three of Gamays red-fleshed teinturier clones. The first two are Gamay de Bouze and Gamay de Chaudenay. Thought to be introduced by the Benedictine monks, these old variants are now almost extinct outside the Monts du Forez. Theres also a little Gamaret, a cross between Gamay Noir and Reichensteiner created in Switzerland in 1970 (which may not easily fit the heirloom narrative of this wine, but its a grape Bonnefoy prizes for its vibrant black fruit character). These red-fleshed varieties are outlawed within the Ctes du Forez appellation, so this (delicious) wine is bottled under the IGP d’Urf.

The soils here are Migmatite granite, a mix of metamorphic and igneous rock that forms the signature soil type of the region of Montbrison. As this is a young vine cuve, Bonnefoy does not use any stems in the winemaking, and the wine is simply wild fermented and raised in cuve inox. Les Rougeots du Clos is vinifed without any added sulphurBonnefoy notes that the teinturier variants are less prone to oxidation and instead uses a little natural gas for protection.
Again, you can pick this straight off the vibrant, perfumed and crunchy shelf. Its aromatic and finely succulent with red current juiciness kissed by white peppercorn, hibiscus and elderberry notes with a thirst-quenching finish. All it needs is a baguette and some saucisson (or a ripe Brie).