Domaine Bois de Boursan

Web Site:www.geocities.com/boisdeboursan/

Address:Chemin du Clos Quartier St Pierre, 84230
Chateauneuf du Pape

Enologist:Jean Paul Versino

History:Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate wrote, "Under the administration of Jean and Jean Paul Versino, Bois de Boursan has become one of Chateauneuf du Pape's super estates."

Bois de Boursan produces gorgeous, traditional-style Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Chatty, enthusiastic Jean-Paul Versino is the third generation of this ex-Piedmontese family in Châteauneuf. The estate took the name of the lieu-dit where the family lives, Bois de Boursan, in the mid-1980s. It is now 16 hectares (40 acres), divided into 27 plots that are spread all over the Châteauneuf territory.

Since the vineyards the family aquired were from retiring owners, most of the vines are between 40 to 100 years-old (the 2 HA of young vines are sold off each year). Although this complicates day-to-day work, the diversity of terroirs and locations is a plus when adverse climatic conditions strike (like hail, rot, etc.). Also, given the vast size of the appellation, each vintage favors certain sectors over others. Only the top parcels make it into the final wine any given year, with the rest is sold to negociants.

Jean-Paul's wines have moved into top tier since the early 1990s, and are classic examples of deep, full, old vines Châteauneufs to be found -- high octane wines with 65% Grenache content, backed by 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre. The harvest is done by hand and two buckets are used for sorting the grapes, perfect grapes into one and less than perfect into the other to make a vin de table.

Versino believes that vinifying with the stems and aging the wine for extended periods in Foudres gives Bois de Boursan's Chateauneuf it's unique character. This goes somewhat against the current tide of winemaking, where more and more producers are using barriques, which help to make bigger, darker, more fruit-forward wines.

Wines:(red)Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Felix, Châteauneuf-du-Pape; (white) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc