Patrick Bouju – Domaine La Bohème (Auvergne)

Patrick Bouju – Domaine La Bohème (Auvergne)

Domaine La Bohème, led by Patrick Bouju, is located in the Auvergne in the village of St Georges sur Allier near Clermont Ferrand a historic yet often overlooked wine region in central France, defined by its volcanic geology and continental climate. Vineyards are spread across sites around the Puy-de-Dôme, where basalt, lava, and volcanic ash soils play a crucial role in shaping the wines’ tension, mineral expression, and natural acidity.
The region sits at relatively high altitude (often between 400–600 meters), with strong diurnal temperature variation. These conditions slow ripening, preserve freshness, and contribute to moderate alcohol levels—an essential factor in the vibrancy and drinkability of Bouju’s wines. Rainfall is balanced, and wind exposure helps maintain healthy vineyards despite minimal treatments.
Patrick Bouju works with a mix of estate and long-term partner growers, focusing on old vines planted to Gamay d’Auvergne, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté, and more idiosyncratic varieties such as Mondeuse, Tressallier, and Muscat. Viticulture is organic, frequently pushing into biodynamic principles, with manual harvesting and very low yields to maintain concentration and balance.
In the cellar, vinification is deliberately low-intervention. Fermentations rely exclusively on indigenous yeasts, with no enzymes or additives. Macerations vary by cuvée and vintage—often semi-carbonic for reds—while élevage takes place in a mix of neutral barrels, old foudres, and fiberglass tanks. Wines are bottled without fining or filtration, and without adding sulfur. 
La Bohème wines are not designed for uniformity or technical perfection. Instead, they aim to transmit the singularity of Auvergne’s volcanic terroirs—producing wines marked by saline tension, smoky minerality, bright acidity, and a raw, energetic profile that has become emblematic of both Patrick Bouju and the region itself.
2022 Lulu 
100% Gamay d’Auvergne. Lulu is a fine example of Gamay d’Auvergne driven by soil and freshness rather than sheer fruit weight. The fruit comes from very old Gamay d’Auvergne vines (often ~80 + years old) planted on volcanic soils (basaltic substrate) around the Puy-de-Dôme and Corent. This volcanic geology contributes to striking mineral energy and naturally high acidity in the wines.
Fermentation: Spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, typically a whole-bunch/semicarbonic maceration for several weeks. Elevage: Aged ~12 months in amphorae and neutral oak barrels (old foudres) on the lees. 
Fresh and aromatic, dominated by red fruit (redcurrant, raspberry, blackberry) with nuanced spice. Subtle smoky/mineral undertones (wet stone, granitic). Linear texture with depth on the finish, displaying both energy and precision rather than overripe richness. 
2022 Super B 
Patrick Bouju’s interpretation of Gamay outside his native Auvergne, made from old vines in the heart of Beaujolais. Drawing fruit from mature parcels around crus such as Brouilly and Moulin-à-Vent, the wine reflects the region’s granitic, mineral-driven soils rather than pure fruit exuberance. While the raw material comes from Beaujolais, the hand behind the wine is unmistakably Bouju’s: natural fermentations, gentle extraction, and a refusal to polish away texture or energy. Compared to his Auvergne bottlings, Super B leans into a firmer structure and deeper core, combining vibrant red fruit with a taut, stony backbone that speaks clearly of its origin without losing the Domaine La Bohème identity.
A spectrum of red and black fruit carries through—cranberry tartness, berry juiciness, elegant and balanced, showing both energy and concentration; the amphora élevage softens while sharpening focus. Long, with a firm but refined grip. 
Overall, Super B stands as one of the more serious and grounded expressions within the Domaine La Bohème range. It balances immediacy with depth, offering the drinkability expected of Gamay while carrying a firmer structure and mineral tension that invite slower, more attentive drinking. This is not a simple, glou-glou Beaujolais, but a wine with shape and intention-one that reflects both the discipline of old vines and Bouju's instinctive, hands-off approach. Energetic yet composed, Super B rewards patience in the glass and confirms that Bouju's vision translates just as convincingly beyond Auvergne as it does at home.
                   Old Vine Gamay d'Auvergne 
                              Corent Village


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