OLIVIER BOULIN
Le Vol Tige du Cat 2021
Jura, France
A blend of old vines of Carignan and Grenache from a parcel farmed by Sébastien Chatillon planted over limestone near Uzes in the Gard. The grapes were macerated on the skins for three weeks, before being pressed slowly to old barrels for a year of elévage. Southern in accent, the cooler vintage has produced an elegant wine with delicate notes of red berries, earth and herbs.
Carignan, Grenache
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Olivier Boulin is a micro-négociant par excellence.
A native of the Jura, Olivier was immersed in wine from a young age, and whilst completing his studies in philosophy he began working alongside talented vignerons all over France and cites time spent with the legendary Antony Tortul of La Sorga and Emmanuel Lançon of Domaine des Murmures as major influences on his work.
Olivier began making wine in the cellar underneath his family home in the village of Champvans in 2015. Each year he seeks out healthy grapes grown on old vines in great terroirs. He has a knack for finding special vineyards, whether it be abandoned plots in storied crus, a couple of rows in prime real estate in Pupillin, or an unfamiliar grape grown in a famous Burgundian village. He harvests the grapes with friends and in the cellar he works his magic.
Olivier makes wines in a decidedly old fashioned way. He favours long, slow and gentle presses of whole bunches over several days, the use of gravity and a proper élevage in old casks. To taste Olivier’s wines is to experience familiar grapes and places anew. They display a wonderful purity of fruit, great texture and heady perfumes. Utterly unique, they offer a glimpse into the mind of an extremely talented young winemaker.