Benoit Camus is a real livewire. Whether working in the vines, in conversation or riding his battered motorcycle it is clear he is a man of rare energy and his wines follow suit.
Benoit farms four hectares spread over eight parcels around Ville-sur-Jarnioux in Beaujolais’ south. The terroir is complex. Predominantly limestone, with some clay, granite and marl in the mix. He lives there in a caravan hidden away in one of the parcels he lovingly refers to as ‘Chateau Roulant’. Three and a half of those hectares are planted with old vines of Gamay and he also grows a little Chardonnay.
His first harvest here was in 2006, though he’s been working in the vineyards of others since he was a teenager. He tends the vines alone, working organically and by hand and in the cellar things are kept simple with fermentation and élevage taking place in concrete and cuve and nothing added at any stage.
Until recently, Benoit chose not to label his wines, preferring to sell them to friends like Philippe Jambon, who would bottle them under their négociant projects. Unusual given the quality on display here but Benoit is a rare find – an old school vigneron who’s just happy to be making pure, nourishing wines to be enjoyed by all.
Prices can be found in our wine list
If you’d like to enjoy these new releases at home we are offering a bottle each of Benoit’s wines for £75, including delivery anywhere in England and Wales.
To place an order just send an email via info@tuttowines.com with a name and address for an invoice, along with a name, address and contact telephone number for the delivery.
BENOIT CAMUS Vagabond 2017
Gamay from vines up to sixty years old, from a number of parcels and terroirs. This spent two weeks as whole bunches in concrete, before being pressed off for élevage. There is a beautiful brightness to the fruit here, with floral and mineral notes, and a lovely lick of acid on the finish.
BENOIT CAMUS Chateau Roulant 2018
This comes from the same parcels as Vagabond and is made in a similar fashion, the only difference being the vintage. As one might expect this is darker, deeper and a little more wild than its counterpart, though the limestone lends great freshness.
BENOIT CAMUS L’Oxyda-Pif 2014/15
Chardonnay from twenty five year old vines planted over pure limestone, pressed off to a large acacia cask for four years of ageing sous voile. A beautiful oxidative wine that pairs pure, ripe stone fruits with complex notes of salt, nuts and spice.