Boulevard Napoléon
Named after the street the winery is located on in the village of...
La Livinière, Minervois, Boulevard Napoléon is the partnership between restaurant owner Trevor Gulliver and winemaker Benjamin Darnault. Seeing the potential in the vineyards located by his holiday home, Trevor started making the wines and then showed them to his other partner, chef Fergus Henderson, who was more than impressed, as were we! Each wine is a classic expression of the varietal grown on the dry, stony slopes of the south of France - yet they retain a vibrancy and definition that marks them out from the crowd.
Vineyards
Fruit is sourced exclusively from a 75 year old single vineyard situated on stony terraces in the high hills of La Livinière, in the Minervois region. Here, soils are predominantly limestone and clay with the age of vines averaging 70 years. The wines show brightness, ripeness, definition and character - elements which can be largely attributed to these older vines. Grenache grapes are picked in two passes, as both the Noir and Gris grapes are grown in the same plot.
Vintage Information
Rainfall between September 2013 and March 2014 was extremely low, affecting water reserves for the growing season. Winter was one of the warmest seen since 1950, similar to those of 1990 and 2007. The mild temperatures resulted in bud break occurring 10 days earlier than in 2013, and spring conditions caused the growing cycle to be three weeks ahead of normal. A wet and stormy summer with lower temperatures than average slowed the vines' development, but Indian Summer conditions in September had a positive effect on the vineyard.
Vinification
Grapes were all harvested by hand into small cases before undergoing a slow and gentle whole bunch pressing in a bag press. After one day resting on its skins, the juice was racked off into one and two year old 225 litre barrels for fermentation. The finished wine was then aged in barrel on its lees for one year without racking. A light filtration occurred just prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
One of the best examples of white wines from the Languedoc region. Aromatic, with citrus perfumes, this wine is rich and supple on the palate with distinct notes of smoke and liquorice. The finish is fresh, long and lingering.
Vintage Information
| Vintage | 2014 |
| Grape varieties | 100% Grenache Gris |
| Region | Minervois, Languedoc |
| Winemaker | Benjamin Darnault |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 14.5% |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.