Farming : Organic

Winemaking : Hand-Picked Grapes | Native Yeast Fermentation | Unfined 

Region : Southern Rhône, France

Grape : Grenache (60%) | Syrah (10%) | Mourvedre (10%) | Carignan (10%) | Cinsault (10%)

Alcohol by Volume : 14.5%

Notes: 

Mikael Boutin first worked as a mechanic until age 20 when he began work in the southern Rhône vineyards. He then studied viticulture at Carpentras before moving on to the organic Domaine Jean David at Seguret, which stimulated his urge to make wine. When his uncle retired in 2008, Mikael worked two hectares he inherited from his parents, making his first wine in 2011. At the time he was also the “number two” in charge of the vineyards at Domaine de la Vieille Julienne at Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

He produces organic wines, with massale selection of the vines. Mikael owns two hectares across eight plots on slope and plain stem. He manages to produce delicious wines in a small building barely larger than a two-car garage which represents the totality of his production facility.

The 2017 shows a balance and purity of fruit that is especially attractive compared to the many over-ripe and heavily extracted wines found in the Southern Rhone. The bright, pure nose shows clean, fresh cherry-laced fruit undercut with warmer notes of licorice and dried herbs. Not too showy, it lets the terroir do its work. The brisk and lively acidity lends a freshness and energy to the fruit – a testament to Boutin’s love for Burgundy. 800 cases produced, 150 cases are now dedicated for export to the United States; we do not expect this new wine to spend too much time in our warehouse.