Why it matters
The producer
Jean-Luc Durand is Bonpas's winemaker. Grenache is the primary grape and the cornerstone of the blends. Vineyard and olive cultivation became core economic activities at Bonpas from the late eighteenth century. The Boisset family acquired Bonpas in 2003 and restored the site to active wine production. The site was designated a historical monument in 1952.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Bonpas overlooks the Durance River near Avignon, in the southern Rhône Valley. Its name comes from the Latin bonus passus, meaning 'good passage', and refers to a ford across the river. Bonpas labels its red wines Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras. These appellation names place the bottles in the southern Rhône, while the producer name refers to the Durance site.
Wines to know
The range in view
Bonpas's red range includes Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras. It contains two Côtes du Rhône bottlings, Réserve de Bonpas Côtes du Rhône 2024 and Bonpas Vieilles Vignes 50ans Côtes du Rhône. The range also includes Grand Cartulaire Vacqueyras.
Réserve de Bonpas Côtes du Rhône 2024 combines 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for approximately three weeks. The wine then ages for 8 months in stainless steel and concrete tanks. Grand Cartulaire Vacqueyras is made mainly from Grenache Noir, with Syrah and Mourvèdre. Its fermentation uses light pump overs and lees stirring. Lees are the fine yeast sediment left after fermentation. Stirring it back into suspension adds roundness to the wine.