The Wine: Vagabond Gamay 2020
VDF Vagabond is a true Beaujolais gem from istrionic yet unassuming natural wine rising start Benoit Camus. It’s 100% Gamay from elder vines of 40-60 years of age, organically farmed on mostly limestone soils with some clay, marl, and granite. Whole bunch, spontaneous fermentation takes place in concrete with no additives nor added SO2. Bright fruit and luminous focus vibrate with notes of fresh cherries, red currants, and a slightly herbal touch.
The Producer: Benoit Camus
Benoit Camus is a true mystery man of Beaujolais, a sincere artist and real farmer, a maverick, and a soft-spoken genius with a fiery creative streak. Legend has it he lives in a caravan in the middle of his 4 hectares of old vine Gamay and Chardonnay in Southern Beaujolais’ Ville-sur-Jarnioux, on soils made up of limestone, clay, marl, and granite. Having made wine since 2006, until recently he sold all of this wine to friends’ negociant labels. Now he bottles and labels his own natural wines, which are truly unique for purity, vibrancy, and depth of character.
The Region: Beaujolais
The Beaujolais wine region is located south of Burgundy. It stretches for about 50km from the town of Mâcon and its characteristic rolling hills to the flatlands bordering the regional capital and world-renown culinary center Lyon on the north.
Beaujolais wine region is split in two by the Nizerand River. The north of the river is where we find the Crus and Beaujolais Villages, whereas south of the river is where Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau are made.
Gamay is the dominant grape varietal of the region giving its best when grown on the granite and sandy clay soils north of the Nizerand River and made into Beaujolais Crus and Beaujolais Villages easy-drinking delicious wines.
There are ten Beaujolais Crus where the best Beaujolais are made: Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Regnie, and Saint-Amour.
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