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Domaine Bosquet des Papes
: Winemaking in the Southern Rhone Valley is cultural, it is tradition and an inherent aptitude that has been ingrained in its inhabitants for centuries. This is no different for the Boiron family of Domaine Bosquet des Papes, who have passed down five generations of “know how” all in turn having contributed to the expansion and success of the domaine, while maintaining respect for the land and upholding the family legacy. Today, Bosquet des Papes is one of the most popular producers in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, and with each vintage has continued to garner more and more attention from wine critics and consumers alike.
Domaine Bosquets des Papes has been a working vineyard owned by the Boiron family since 1860. It was founded by Emmanuel Boiron with his first investment of a local vineyard. It was passed down to his son Joseph-Victor and then his grandson, Joseph, followed in his footsteps and created the “Clos Chantemerle” entity in 1936. Each generation increasing the property hectares at a time, always cognizant of the concern for respecting the terroir and maintaining quality. The domaine would take another great stride when Maurice, son of Joseph, bought more than 10 hectares in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and renamed the estate: “Bosquet des Papes” in 1966. Today, the domaine is managed by Maurice’s son, Nicolas, who has contributed in his own right, adding to the vineyards, 4.5 hectares in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and 3.5 hectares in Cotes-Du-Rhone, with which he wishes to “...ensure this decisive turning point in viticulture which is that of modernity, of the alliance between technical progress and respect for tradition, a tradition that we want to evolve in order to better adapt to the modern way of consuming wine. Today it stems from a real need for measured pleasure and a certain thirst, so to speak, for knowledge, which after all goes very well together.”
Like many estates in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, the vineyards are spread out over the appellation in key lieux-dits (site-specific vineyards) including Pignan, Mont Redon, Bois de Boursan and le Bosquets. The vineyards are planted to 27 hectares of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, while 1.5 hectares are designated to the cultivation of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc, used in the blending Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc (white). The Boiron’s 3.5 hectares in Cotes-Du-Rhone is planted to similar red grape varieties with the inclusion of Carignan, which is used in their Cotes-Du-Rhone rose. All grapes are harvested by hand in the vineyard and transported to the cellar immediately afterwards.
The legendary terroir of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape is one of the major contributing factors to the success of Bosquet des Papes and its quintessential tasting profile. The soils are a mix of red sandstone, brown earth, sand and the omnipresent Galets Roules (rolled pebbles) which play a vital role in the growth and development of the vines. These large round stones retain the sun’s heat during the day and return it to the rootstocks at night. All of these components lay on a bed of clay and limestone subsoil, further adding to the complexity and typicity of the domaine’s wines.
The Domaine Bosquet des Papes’ portfolio includes five red Chateauneuf’s, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Tradition, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes (Old Vines) Chateauneuf-Du-Pape A la Gloire de Mon Grand-Pere, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape La Folie and Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Les 7 de Pignan (sourced from 7 different parcels in the Lieu-dit of Pignan). The wines are mostly blends of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, with exception to Les 7 de Pignan, which is 100% Grenache sourced from the oldest vines on the property. The Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc is a blend of 45% Clairette, 35% Grenache Blanc and 20% Bourboulenc. Cotes-Du-Rhone Bosquet Des Boiron (red) and Le Rose de Zara (rose), a delightful blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, round out the domaine collection. Total annual production for both appellations (Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and Cotes-Du-Rhone) is around 15,000 to 20,000.
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