Pierrre Olivier Bonhomme 2014 Vercheny Pinot Noir 750ml

Pierre Olivier Bonhomme started as an apprentice at Clos du Tue-Boeuf with Thierry Puzelat and his brother Jean Marie Puzelat. Recognizing Pierre Olivier's talent through the years, Thierry ventured into a négoce business with Pierre Olivier under the label Puzelat-Bonhomme. They source the grapes and rent the vineyards from their friends. All the vines are grown organically. With Jean Marie Puzelat retiring in 2014, Thierry Puzelat is full time at the family domain Clos du Tue-Boeuf and Pierre Olivier Bonhomme is now the sole owner of Puzelat-Bonhomme. Hence, the name change from Puzelat-Bonhomme to Pierre Olivier Bonhomme starting 2014. The friendship they forged over the years remains the same. They often share farming equipment and taste together. When I visit Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme, Thierry Puzelat often joins us for a tasting.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir in the Cheverny appellation near the village of Blois. Hand-harvested grapes are fermented traditionally with stems and raised in neural barrels for six to eight months. By the Cheverny appellation rules, a red must be a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. This particular site is best expressed with Pinot Noir. Since this wine is 100% Pinot Noir, it cannot be labelled Cheverny. The name Vercheny is a play on words of Cheverny. There is Cheverny in Vercheny.

-- Winemaker