From: Buzet, Southwest France
Varietals: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: With a bouquet reminiscent of a fresh right-bank Bordeaux, this wine leads with concentrated cherry, dusty raspberry, and blackcurrant, with savory undertones of coffee bean, tobacco leaf, and hints of black pepper spice. These aromas transcend seamlessly onto the palate, which balances effortlessly in a medium-bodied, friendly table wine.
Pairing: If you’re in the mood for some simple bites, drink it with a spread of charcuterie and pâté on toast! Other great pairings include steak frites, duck confit, braised beef over polenta, swedish meatballs, or pizza with chicken or mushrooms on top. Truly, this wine makes us crave a classic burger, which is why we’re sharing Sam Sifton’s recipe for Hamburgers (Tavern Style).
About, courtesy of Mary Taylor Wines. Upstream from Bordeaux along the Garonne River lie the vineyards of Buzet, just north of Armagnac and southwest of Cahors (about an hour from Bordeaux). Buzet was recognized as an appellation in 1973, as its clay limestone and gravel soils are ideal for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Christophe Avi, winemaker at the Domaine du Bois du Simon, tends to these vines with the utmost respect for biodiversity of the terroir, and this cuvée is vinified without oak.
As the great-grandson of the founder, Christophe joined the estate in 1992. The domain covers 33 hectares (81.5 acres) of vines and produces 35,000 bottles of red, white and rosé wines each year under two Southwest France appellations: Buzet AOP and Brulhois AOP. Christophe is passionate about biodynamic winemaking and has been farming without chemicals since taking over as winemaker. The estate is registered as Haut Valeur Environmentale level 3 and is in the process of organic conversion.
Buzet wines are dominated by a large cave cooperative, however a handful of estates like Christophe’s remain independent. An old Roman road, one followed by Prince Henry of Navarre (who became Henry IV) runs through these vines. Like all wines of the Southwest region, they are historically lesser known than the wines of Bordeaux; the 100 Years war and the British occupation of Aquitaine favored Bordeaux from a tax perspective and left Buzet and its neighbors unsullied by the British. However, the Southwest/Gascogny is home to the oldest vineyards in France and there are many beautiful wines to discover here.
