Region: Loire Valley, France (Vin de France)
Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Body: Medium
Notes: Green apples wrapped in grapefruit rind, elderflower, herby lemon brine, fine wood spice, with an upright mineral tension and a long, energetic finish
Pairing: Fresh oysters, a plate of steamed cockles, goat cheese (Crottin de Chavignol), grilled trout, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Clos du Tue-Boeuf is an iconic, deeply authoritative natural wine estate located in Les Montils, within the Touraine region of the Loire Valley. Records of the lieu-dit “le Tue-Boeuf” and its exceptional wines date back to the Middle Ages, when they were highly favored by French kings. In modern times, the estate became a legendary pillar of the natural wine movement under brothers Jean-Marie and Thierry Puzelat, who began farming organically in 1996. Following Jean-Marie's retirement after the 2018 vintage, Thierry took full helm of the estate and has since been joined by his daughters, Zoë and Louise. Operating under an uncompromising low-intervention framework, the family relies on native yeast fermentations, neutral wood vessels, and zero fining or mechanical filtration to bottle raw, authentic terroir with little to no added sulfur.
The Wine
The 2024 "Buisson Pouilleux" is a masterclass in Loire Sauvignon Blanc that completely sheds the standard, hyper-industrial, catty tropes of the grape. Named after a specific 1.1-hectare estate parcel (which translates colloquially to "The Shabby Bush" or "The Bush Full of Lice"), the vineyard features a prized mix of old vines planted in 1950 and 1964 alongside younger plantings carefully established over the last two decades. The fruit is grown in clay-limestone soils overlaying a bed of flinty sand and gravel. In the cellar, a portion of the fruit receives a brief 2 to 3-day skin maceration to kickstart a natural fermentation before being gently pressed. The wine ages undisturbed for a year on its fine lees in used Burgundy barrels with no racking and occasional stirring (bâtonnage). Classified intentionally as a Vin de France rather than AOC Touraine to bypass rigid bureaucratic profiles, this highly scannable, deeply textured vintage is bottled unfined and unfiltered with just a minute touch of sulfur at bottling, delivering a dense core of orchard fruit, subtle wild herbs, and an electric, mouthwatering mineral length.
Region: Loire Valley, France (Vin de France)
Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Body: Medium
Notes: Green apples wrapped in grapefruit rind, elderflower, herby lemon brine, fine wood spice, with an upright mineral tension and a long, energetic finish
Pairing: Fresh oysters, a plate of steamed cockles, goat cheese (Crottin de Chavignol), grilled trout, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Clos du Tue-Boeuf is an iconic, deeply authoritative natural wine estate located in Les Montils, within the Touraine region of the Loire Valley. Records of the lieu-dit “le Tue-Boeuf” and its exceptional wines date back to the Middle Ages, when they were highly favored by French kings. In modern times, the estate became a legendary pillar of the natural wine movement under brothers Jean-Marie and Thierry Puzelat, who began farming organically in 1996. Following Jean-Marie's retirement after the 2018 vintage, Thierry took full helm of the estate and has since been joined by his daughters, Zoë and Louise. Operating under an uncompromising low-intervention framework, the family relies on native yeast fermentations, neutral wood vessels, and zero fining or mechanical filtration to bottle raw, authentic terroir with little to no added sulfur.
The Wine
The 2024 "Buisson Pouilleux" is a masterclass in Loire Sauvignon Blanc that completely sheds the standard, hyper-industrial, catty tropes of the grape. Named after a specific 1.1-hectare estate parcel (which translates colloquially to "The Shabby Bush" or "The Bush Full of Lice"), the vineyard features a prized mix of old vines planted in 1950 and 1964 alongside younger plantings carefully established over the last two decades. The fruit is grown in clay-limestone soils overlaying a bed of flinty sand and gravel. In the cellar, a portion of the fruit receives a brief 2 to 3-day skin maceration to kickstart a natural fermentation before being gently pressed. The wine ages undisturbed for a year on its fine lees in used Burgundy barrels with no racking and occasional stirring (bâtonnage). Classified intentionally as a Vin de France rather than AOC Touraine to bypass rigid bureaucratic profiles, this highly scannable, deeply textured vintage is bottled unfined and unfiltered with just a minute touch of sulfur at bottling, delivering a dense core of orchard fruit, subtle wild herbs, and an electric, mouthwatering mineral length.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.