DOMAINE LA BOUÏSSIÈRE
Gigondas, France
Thierry and Gilles Faravel took over the estate from their father back in 1988. They farm 9 hectares on the steep upper slopes of Gigondas, under the Dentelles de Montmirail. The cooler temperatures there allow for livelier wines than the vineyards lower down. They also own some land in Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise. Their wine-making philosophy is non-interventionist. Their wines are characterized by an unusual combination of freshness and concentration.
The Gigondas vineyards lie between 350-400 meters, allowing for late harvests (often mid-October). The soils are clay-limestone, with good drainage but excellent reserves.
The fruit is grown sustainably, with as little intervention as possible, and is always hand-harvested. It is de-stemmed only when the vintage dictates. Thierry takes care of most of the wine-making, and uses gravity rather than pumps, indigenous yeasts and minimal sulfur (normally only at bottling). The cuvaison is relatively long. The wines are aged in a mixture of old and new barriques. They are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Wines
Domaine la Bouïssière Gigondas Rouge
Domaine la Bouïssière Vacqueyras Rouge