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VIN NO CONTROL Babinou II
VIN NO CONTROL Babinou II
Regular price
$46.00 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$46.00 USD
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Vin No Control Babinou II is an exhilarating, light-bodied natural red wine crafted by Vincent Marie at Domaine No Control, a small, biodynamic estate in the volcanic hills of Auvergne, France. This cuvée is a playful, unconventional blend of red and white grape varieties—typically featuring Auxerrois, Sylvaner, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay, with proportions varying by vintage. Sourced from a mix of Vincent’s own 5 hectares of vines near Volvic and purchased grapes from like-minded growers (often from Alsace or the Jura), Babinou II reflects his punk-rock ethos and commitment to raw, expressive winemaking.
The grapes grow on diverse volcanic soils—granite, basalt, and sandy scoria—lending the wine a distinctive mineral backbone. Vincent’s vineyards, ranging from 5 to 120 years old, are farmed organically and biodynamically, tended by hand with minimal treatments (sulfur, copper, and herbal teas). Harvested manually, the grapes undergo a spontaneous co-fermentation with native yeasts, often in fiberglass vats, using a mix of carbonic and semi-carbonic maceration for about 10 days to three weeks. The wine is aged briefly—sometimes in wood, sometimes in tank—then bottled unfiltered, unfined, and without added sulfites, resulting in a fragile yet lively juice meant to be enjoyed within a day of opening.
In the glass, Babinou II pours a translucent ruby, almost rosé-like in its clarity. The nose is a fragrant burst of fresh raspberries, wild strawberries, and cherry candy, with floral hints of rose petals and a subtle herbal or citrus zest edge—think orange peel or hibiscus. On the palate, it’s feather-light and acid-driven, with a juicy, glou-glou (gulpable) quality that balances bright red fruit, a touch of spice, and a dusty minerality from the volcanic terroir. At 11-11.5% alcohol, it’s refreshingly low in weight but high in personality, finishing with a crisp, slightly tart flourish that begs for another sip.
Babinou II is a wine built for conviviality—perfect chilled alongside pizza, tacos, or a casual charcuterie spread with friends. A sequel to the original Babinou, it’s a fan favorite in the natural wine world, showcasing Vincent Marie’s knack for blending tradition with experimentation. Produced in tiny quantities, it’s a fleeting pleasure, embodying the “no control” philosophy of letting nature dictate the outcome.
