Madone Urfe IGP Les Rougeots du Clos 2021 750ml

Madone d'Urfé (or Vins de la Madone / La Madone) IGP Urfé Les Rougeots du Clos 2021 is a vibrant, low-intervention red wine from Gilles Bonnefoy's domaine in the volcanic hills of the Monts du Forez (Côtes du Forez area, Loire Valley, France).

Key Details

• Producer: Gilles Bonnefoy, Vins de la Madone (organic since 2001, biodynamic since 2009).
• Appellation: IGP Urfé (d'Urfé) — the red-fleshed Gamay variants used are not permitted in the stricter Côtes du Forez AOC.
• Vineyard: Single 1-hectare plot ("Les Rougeots du Clos") at ~600m altitude on migmatite granite soils (rich in mica, signature of the Montbrison area). Vines planted in 2016 (very young at the time of the 2021 vintage).
• Grapes: 40% Gamay de Bouze, 40% Gamay de Chaudenay (rare, old teinturier/red-fleshed clones thought to date back to Benedictine monks), 20% Gamaret (a Gamay cross prized for black fruit and structure).
• Winemaking: 100% destemmed, wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel, short maceration (~10 days), aged briefly in tank, lightly filtered, no added SO2 (sulphur-free; the teinturier grapes are naturally more oxidation-resistant). Bottled around December 2021.

Tasting Notes & Style

This is a light-to-medium-bodied, crunchy, perfumed Gamay-style red with volcanic minerality. Expect:

• Aromatic red and dark berry fruit (redcurrant, ripe forest fruits, black plum/cherry, elderberry).
• Floral and spicy lifts (hibiscus, white peppercorn, violet/rose).
• Fresh, succulent palate with juicy acidity, taut structure, earthy/savoury complexity, and a thirst-quenching, mineral finish.
• Low alcohol (~11.5% in some listings), vibrant energy, and food-friendly versatility.

It’s often compared to lively Beaujolais but with cooler, rockier freshness from the volcanic/granite terroir. Drink it chilled for maximum refreshment. Great with charcuterie, saucisson, baguette, ripe Brie, or lighter poultry dishes. Cellar potential to ~2028 or so.

Background

Bonnefoy's wines emphasize purity, terroir (volcanic influence from the "Madone" hillside), and minimal intervention. This cuvée highlights rare local Gamay variants and young-vine vibrancy without stems or new oak. It's a "natural" but clean and precise example of the style.