Charles Boigelot

One of the reasons I love what I do is that finding the next winemaking genius is always a possibility, however remote that possibility might be. One has to kiss a lot of vinous frogs to find such a prince (or princess!), but the durité of that journey almost makes the discovery even more rewarding.

When I first came across young Charles Boigelot, I was struck by his charming authority, a refreshing contrast to the brash arrogance some of his generation convey. When he told me that he had spent 2 years doing an internship with Raphaël Coche and another 12 months with Thierry Pillot and in the same breath told me that he was still only 21, I suddenly felt very old! Thankfully he has finally turned 22, so I can relax a little now!

Apparently, he did his first harvest on the family domaine when he was just 14 and decided there and then that being a vigneron was what he wanted to do for the rest of his days. How nice to have such clarity in one’s life from such an early age.

Eight years later he is well on his way to achieving that goal. He is now working with his father, Eric, and taking responsibility for the domaine’s white wines, while trying to slowly change the style of vinification of the reds. It’s very much a work in process, but already there has been a big gear change in the quality of wine emerging from the domaine.

And now, he has begun a small side project which is where we come into the picture. He is basically selling himself some of the family fruit and bottling a range of wines under his newly created eponymous label. Under this label he is free from the shackles of those around him and can do exactly what he wants to in terms of vinification. Since first visiting I have been back numerous times just to be sure that my talent radar is working properly, and each time I have come away still more convinced about what he is doing. And having subsequently had a very positive thumbs up from both Raphaël and Thierry, I am genuinely thrilled about the potential that is here.

For the moment, volumes are tiny, but that will change, and I would urge you to support this young winemaker who is undoubtedly heading for the stars.