Sebastien Bobinet ‘Amateux Bobi’

Marina waxes poetic about Sebastien Bobinet and ‘Amateur Bobi’ —

Standout bottles that never fail to impress! Eight generations of winemakers came before Sebastien and he grew up helping his grandfather in the vineyard and in the cellar. He resisted this path for a while, seeking out work in glass-making before seeing the wine light and coming back to take over the family domaine in his thirties. In 2010 Sebastien met Emiline Calvez (former professional dancer, then caviste) and Domaine Bobinet was reborn. A combined effort, with Sebastien more in the vineyard and Emiline more in the cave (which is magnificent by the way! Made of gorgeous Loire limestone). 

Set in Saumur, in the village of Beaulieu, Sebastien and Emiline were up against a rather traditional wine landscape/culture and the stubbornness of his family to start making wine his way. They started with small parcels and have grown to over 4 hectares of vines, primarily Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. 

The Cabernet Franc of ‘Amateur Bobi’ comes from a 65-year-old vineyard of clay and limestone called Bois Blanc. This is the most serious of Bobinet's wines - a truly amazing reflection of the elegance and minerality of this soil (the famous white limestone tuffeau of Samur ). Goddamn, I LOVE the balance of Saumur-Champigny, Cabernet Franc and how this grape when grown in this perfect soil. It’s SOOOO GOOD!! Round & slightly juicy with delicate tannins and a perfectly balanced palette of black forest berries - blueberries, blueberries, wild blackberries with hints of savory forest herbs.