Domaine Henri Bonneau

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

“Châteauneuf du Pape is Grenache, all the rest is like salt & pepper in the soup,” words from the late great Henri Bonneau, a true legend and wines are the most sought-after Châteauneuf du Pape’s ever made. A historic estate that can be traced back to the first vines planted in 1667, and after Henri’s passing in 2016 it is now run by the 13th generation and son, Marcel Bonneau. Domaine Henri Bonneau farms a total of 6.5ha among 13 parcels, mostly in prime lieux-dit La Crau, some in Grand Pierre (next to Ch. Rayas), and an additional 3ha in the Gard department. The skills, knowledge, and art of wine-growing have always been passed down from father to son. Vines average 30-40 years and are usually replaced at 50 years, as Henri felt from there on a vine is not the same. About 90% of plantings are of Grenache and are harvested generally late. Whole clusters are preferred with ferments in concrete. Then aging in a range of old barrels, foudre, demi-muids (nothing new) for at least 2 years but wines generally stay longer “until its ready”. Decisions for what is fit for each cuvée can take years, so no one ever knows how much of a certain wine is made in any year. A legendary domaine and the wines are fantastically complex, very pure, and capable of decades of development.