YANNICK AMIRAULT BOURGUEIL le GRAND CLOS 2022

Yannick decided to create his own domaine in 1977 with 3.90ha that belonged to his grandfather in the mythical terroir of Malgagnes. In the 90's, he also took over the vineyards of two retiring wine growers, one of whom is an emblem of Bourgueil: Le Grand Clos.

Twenty years ago, he realised he should stop all chemicals on his land, let grass grow between the ranks, practice buds reduction and return to traditional ageing instead of stainless steal tanks. The domaine was converted to organic and biodynamic farming.

Today, Yannick works with one of his two sons, Benoit. The vineyard represents 20 hectares, 2/3 in Bourgueil and 1/3 in Saint-Nicolas-de Bourgueil. All are planted in the red Cabernet Franc, and each parcel means a different soil, sun and field exposure, unique vegetation.

The cuvées La Source, La Mine and Les Malgagnes refer to the St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil appellation, while La Coudraye, Le Grand Clos, Les Quartiers, La Petite Cave and Le Rosé d'Equinoxe refer to the Bourgueil appellation.

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Founded in 1936 by Eugène Amirault, the Y. Amirault estate is situated on the right bank of the Loire river, limestone land favoured for cabernet franc. Taken over in 1977 by the grandson Yannick Amirault, it has constantly evolved to defend an organic and perfectionnist cultivation of the vine. Today, it is the great-grandson Benoît Amirault who cultivates the ten crus spread over the village of Bourgueil & Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil (19 hectares in total). Each terroir is gardened according to the lunar cycle, picked by hand and then aged individually in casks and/or sandstone jars. And as always, 100% of the wines are produced with grapes from the estate only (no purchase of grapes)

Clos historically classified as a « 1er cru » by the abbey of Bourgueil. Exposure on a hillside with clay and flint on a limestone underlay. Vines planted in the 1970s. Natural grass cover and tillage under the row.

100% hand harvesting. Double sorting of the grapes with destalking (no crushing). Alcoholic fermentation in cone oak vats, skin maceration during 4 weeks. Aging during 14 to 20 months (75% in 400L casks, 25% in sandstone eggs). 

A kind of aristocratic style. Dense and onctuous, this cuvée elegantly reveals an exceptional terroir. Drink now through 2035."

93/100 Beverley Blanning MW, Decanter UK, May 2024 (2022 Vintage)
"Le Grand Clos has an attractive nose of blackcurrants and black cherries. The palate is all silk and pillowy softness, with gorgeous ripeness and lightly savoury tannins in the background supporting the fruit, which is verging on luscious. A masterful wine that plays to the strengths of this ripe vintage, this is lush but with enough mineral restraint and chalky texture to balance the ripeness. Sweet black fruit and savoury minerality: what a great combination."