The wines of Clos de Gamot are the humble benchmark of Malbec from this area, with the Jouffreau family passing winemaking traditions from father to son since 1610. The philosophy of the Jouffreau family is simple: be good farmers. give things time, observe nature, be respectful. This approach has seen vines ageing back to 1885 still producing intense, great fruit. The vineyard is located on the second and third of the Lot river’s terraces, composed of pebbles, gravel, and quartz mixed with alluvium of the Lot. With no use of herbicide, the workload on the vineyard is enormous.
From a winemaking perspective, grapes are sorted when they join the cellar. Each plot is vinified separately, with gentle pumping over to keep a harmonious structure. Wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in old oak pungent with some 40 years old foudre (70hl and 100hl).
Jean Jouffreau’s daughters and his son-in-law Yves Hermann have continued to lovingly care for the family vines, with Yves’ son now joining the legacy. The tradition continues, with the focus on bottle maturation remaining. “A wine, like a person,” says Yves, “should have a personal story to tell over time.” With the range of vintages the estate offers, it is possible for consumers to affordably capture history in a glass. We’ll drink to that!
