DOMAINE BOBINET "Aunis"

"Aunis" from Domaine Bobinet is a vibrant and expressive natural red wine that showcases the rare Pineau d’Aunis grape, a historic Loire Valley variety known for its spicy, peppery charm. Crafted by Sébastien Bobinet and Émeline Calvez at their small, biodynamic estate in Saumur, this wine comes from 35-year-old vines grown on limestone soils in the Le Chatelet vineyard, occasionally supplemented with fruit from a neighboring organic grower. Hand-harvested grapes undergo a 20-day carbonic maceration with native yeasts, preserving bright fruit aromas, followed by a brief four-month aging in concrete tanks. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without added sulfur, "Aunis" pours a light ruby hue with a nose of ripe forest fruits—strawberry, raspberry, and tart cherry—laced with black pepper, rose petals, and a flinty, Jura-esque reduction. On the palate, it’s airy and juicy, with round acidity, fine tannins, and a touch of licorice on the finish, offering a fresh, joyful quaffability. Perfect chilled with a charcuterie board or pizza, this wine reflects the couple’s ethos of purity, sustainability, and unadulterated pleasure.