Domaine Bohn
| Vigneron | Bernard and Arthur Bohn |
| Location | Reichsfeld (Bas-Rhin) |
| Size of Domaine | 9 ha |
| Terroir | Continental climate, sheltered from rain by the Vosges foothills. Precambrian schist and slate in Reichsfeld, sandstone and volcanic soil in Nothalten. From gentle to steep slopes on hillsides. 330 to 400m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Certified organic (Ecocert). Practising biodynamic and Fukuoka-inspired farming. |
| View Domaine Bohn wines ↓ |
Despite being only a few kilometres away from the touristic Andlau, the village of Reichsfeld is off the beaten path, idyllic and preserved, almost stuck in a time warp. Up a valley and tucked away, it is protected by the Ungersberg mountain that culminates at 901m. The schist, slate and shale soils of Reichsfeld have produced some of the finest Alsatian wines as early as the 12th century.
Considered prime location, the best vineyards are definitely worthy of the Grand Cru appellation (not granted to this date for some obscure political reasons), and big players, the likes of Chapoutier, are heavily investing in the area.
The Comtes of Andlau first showed interest (12th century), followed by the Cistercians who planted the steep Schieferberg (translating as Hill of Slate). The monks did extend the plantings to the neighbouring village of Nothalten, now famous for its Muenchberg GC on pink sandstone and volcanic soils.
The Bohns have been vignerons in Reichsfeld for over three centuries, handing over prime terroirs and passing down savoir-faire from generation to generation.
Nowadays Bernard and Arthur – father and son – look after their heritage with biodiversity and wildlife conservation as core values. Soils are not worked, wild cover crop is mulched with a 'rolo faca' to increase organic matter, the vine shoots are weaved and the apex preserved.
Bernard has always had an experimental mindset trialling with vintage blending, perpetual reserve, fermentation in vessels of any shape or form, straw wines, flor etc.
This pioneering spirit shaped Arthur's approach to winemaking. He arrived at the domaine in his early 20s (2010) displaying incredible talent right from the get-go with the making of precise sulphur free and skin contact wines. Now firmly at the helm, he has taken the domaine to the next level, his additive-free bottlings strike with their vitality, strength, and terroir imprint – unique wines we are hugely excited about!
Bernard Bohn Domaine Bohn Wines
SCHIEFERBERG 2019
Chapelle Oberhagel
100% Riesling
100% Riesling (13% alc)
The Chappelle Oberhagel is located in the middle of a 70yo vineyard planted in the heart of the Schieferberg, a unique Alsatian terroir made of 'Villé blue schist' – layers of shale dating back to the Precambrian age. It is through the schist soil that the vines draw minerals and impart character to the wines. This riesling was aged in traditional foudres on its fine lees for almost a year and bottled unfined with no sulphur added. This is a ‘vin de garde’ which combines incisive minerality and rich texture, the end of the mouth is long and saline with ripe peach and liquorice flavours lingering. For drinking now to 2030.
MUENCHBERG GRAND CRU 2020
100% Riesling
100% Riesling (12.5% alc)
The Muenchberg Grand Cru, in Nothalten, takes its name from the 12th century Cistercian monks who used to meticulously work the southern exposed slope. The croissant-shaped vineyard is a suntrap over sandstone and volcanic deposits, a unique terroir with poor and acidic soil – the pH is so low that vignerons, including local hero Patrick Meyer, practise liming to improve plant growth. The Bohns own 27 ares of vines averaging 70yo and yielding tiny grapes with thick skins. Slowly and directly pressed, the wine stays on its lees for a year in traditional foudres, and is racked once during élevage, bottling is made without any filtration or added sulphur. This is a 'grand vin de terroir', a multilayered umami bomb which graciously combines depth of flavours and intense salinity. A textural wine in its youth that will develop complex aromas over the years. For drinking now to 2030.
SCHIEFERBERG ZERO 2020
50% Riesling, 50% Pinot Gris
50% Riesling, 50% Pinot Gris (13% alc)
The S/SE exposed vineyards of Schieferberg are planted at high altitude (330 to 400m) and sheltered by the majestic Ungersberg mountain. The schist rock accumulates heat on sunny days and returns it to the vines during cool nights, an ideal scenario for the grapes which benefit from a prolonged and slow maturing process. Pinot gris and riesling are destemmed for one third and macerated in open vats for four weeks with gentle remontages to keep the cap wet. The top layer of the cap is discarded before pressing to remove any unwanted bacteria, and the juice finishes fermentation in traditional foudres before ageing. Schieferberg Zero is bottled without filtration or any SO2 added. Terroir driven and age-worthy, this wine has a deep and bright orange colour, fresh and polished tannins coated with a lush texture. Its complex aromas of morello cherries, quince and cocoa are lifted by an electric minerality.
L’INDIGÈNE 2021
100% Sylvaner
100% Sylvaner (13% alc)
L’Indigène is the first Bohn wine we came across – drunk en terrasse in Strasbourg, it stopped us in our tracks and triggered our first visit to the domaine. Old vines of sylvaner (70yo) growing for 2/3 on schist and 1/3 on sandstone. The grapes go through a 5 weeks maceration following a similar process to Schieferberg Zero. A gently glowing orange colour, it is refined and nuanced with enticing aromas of ripe apricot, pomelo and peppercorn. Schist and sandstone have imparted verticality and a lovely rusticity with fresh and salivating tannins.
ORANGE GAULOIS 2021
90% Gewürztraminer, 10% Riesling
90% Gewürztraminer, 10% Riesling (13.5%)
A 10-day infusion of gewürztraminer whole bunches into a juice of directly pressed gewürz and riesling – the gewürz grows at the bottom of a slope on deeper soil while the riesling comes from slate soils on the prestigious Schieferberg. The wine aged in traditional foudres for a year and delivers vibrant and fruit-forward aromatics. This is surprisingly poised for a gewürz, the gentle extraction via infusion brought balance and salivating salty bitters, a dynamism enhanced by the Schieferberg riesling. No SO2.
PAR NATHUR 2020
100% Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir (13% alc)
Arthur likes the texture and balance obtained when blending pinot noir grown on schist (70% in this case) and sandstone: the austerity coming from schist soils is tempered with the generosity and flesh given by sandstone. This pinot noir is the opposite of the regional cliché that is too often flabby and alcoholic; it is extremely digeste thanks to its smooth texture, refreshing acidity and bramble fruit flavours. Ageing is carried out principally in stainless steel and the wine is bottled unfined, unfiltered and without any additives.
LE COUP DE JUS 2022
70% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Riesling
70% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Riesling (13% alc)
A short infusion (few days) of whole bunches pinot noir into blended juices of pinot gris and riesling. A technique that delivers vibrant and fruit-forward aromatics balanced (in this case) by the imprint of schist: all the grapes come from the amazing terroir Schieferberg with vines reaching deep into the slate soils. Another tour de force by Arthur who managed to combine extreme drinkability with sense of place. Lightly coloured, this is an electrifying wine that can prove addictive (beware!). No SO2.