Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine

Domaine Henri Bonneau, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone wine producer profile with wine tasting notes, wine ratings, a history of the property, information on wine making and terroir, along with wine tasting reviews and images. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

Henri Bonneau remains a legend to most Chateauneuf du Pape fans. He is the last of the old timers, still making wine. His cellars, where he practices his craft are not only the most difficult appointment to get in Chateauneuf. They are also the most interesting.

Entering the wine cellar of Henri Bonneau is like walking into another world. To enter the home of Mr. Bonneau, which is located in the Chateauneuf du Pape village, you pass though the only thing that is close to modern in his house. The art nouveau styled door. When you walk to the cellars around the back, you pass through a rusty, iron door and walk down the broken steps.

The floors are so dirty, your shoes stick to the ground as you walk. There was mold and mildew in the cellars current medical science has not yet found names for. The youngest barrel in the cellar is at least a decade old. Many of the barrels look as if they are as old as he is, or older. Keep in mind, Henri Bonneau was born 1938! Rustic does not begin to describe the caves, walls or barrels. Barrels are scattered in a myriad of different caves. The best description I can offer about the caves is they are like a spider web of ancient, decrepit, catacombs. The lighting is accomplished with a few dangling light bulbs on wires, carelessly strung across the low rocky, ceiling.

This is world of Henri Bonneau where some of the best, most sought after Chateauneuf du Pape wines are made. Henri Bonneau comes from a long line of wine makers. He is the 12th generation to produce Chateauneuf du Pape. Henri Bonneau was one of the first producers in the appellation to bottle their own wine. That practice started in 1927.

Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape

Ironically, it’s possible that Henri Bonneau has barrels in his cellars that are older than his vines. While most producers in Chateauneuf du Pape feel their best wines come from their oldest, low yielding vines, that is not the case with Henri Bonneau. The oldest vines owned by Bonneau were probably planted the day the Beatles came to America in 1964. However, the average age of his vines is closer to 30 years old. Henri Bonneau owns 6.5 hectares of vines spread among 13 different parcels. Most of his vines, approximately 90% are devoted to Grenache. The remainder is a mix of Mourvedre, Syrah, Vaccarese and Counoise. Many Chateauneuf du Pape observers feel Henri Bonneau has the best terroir in the appellation. Much of it sits in La Crau.

While Henri Bonneau does not desire to have the oldest vines in the appellation, he is often one of the last producers to harvest his grapes. The berries are only destemmed in moderate or poor vintages, as they did not achieve ripeness.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in concrete vats. At some point in time, the press wine is blended with the must and ages in a combination of 20 hectoliter fourdres, demi muids, and small oak barrels for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or years or more! Henri Bonneau is fond of saying the wine is ready when it’s ready. The decision of what juice goes into which wine is not made right away either. It could take years until he decides if a wine is fit to be sold as Celestins, Marie Beurrier or his Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape.

Henri Bonneau produces from 4 wines; Reserve des Celestins, (His most famous and expensive wine), Marie Beurrier, Henri Bonneau and Cuvee Speciale. The Speciale is not produced in most vintages. It is a very ripe, port like wine that is not for everyone. The decision as to what barrels end up in which wines is made shortly before bottling. The choice is made based on quality.

Along with Beaucastel, Hommage Jacques Perrin, the wines of Bonneau have the potential for the most aging in the region.