Producers

Patricia & Rémi BonnetonArdèche, France

Rémi Bonneton started working the vineyards of the Northern Rhône in the early 2000s, not tending vines or harvesting grapes, but working with his two horses, Suspens and Palynka, offering his unique services to plough the soils at some of the most coveted domaines in this part of France. After making a little of his own wine along the way, cut to 2013 and Rémi and Patricia, his wife, found their very first vineyard parcel of Syrah on the steep slopes of the Doux Valley right at the very northern tip of the Ardèche, which despite the sheer terracing is still worked à la Bonneton: by horse and plough. It’s physical, demanding work and no light undertaking - perfect for Rémi who in his previous life was a professional rower.

Their domaine totals just under 2 hectares and includes another parcel close to Tournon Sur Rhône planted with Roussanne and Marsanne, sitting opposite the iconic vineyards of Cornas and Saint-Joseph. The vines see no chemical treatments and this approach is followed into the cellar where fermentations occur spontaneously and have nothing added - the wine using grapes from these vineyards is bottled as L’Alezan. As they start to work towards their ambitious visions for the future (a big conversion build for their own cellars at their farmhouse in Etables, an experimental planting of Albariño, acquiring more parcels) they buy grapes from other growers further afield to up their production - these wines are bottled as La Tangente.

Patricia & Rémi Bonneton Wines

Patricia & Rémi Bonneton
La Tangente 'Enlil' 2023

An inviting hazy gold in the glass, with straw-like aromas and an undertone of tinned tropical fruit. The palate really zings; white peach, lemon rind and a mouthwatering acidity that rounds and softens as it moves into the finish. Find out more.

  • Region Étables, Ardèche, France
  • Grapes Grenache Blanc, Marsanne & Sylvaner
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, minimal additional sulphites
£25

Quantity

Patricia & Rémi Bonneton
La Tangente 'Ho'oponopono' 2022

A maceration of Viognier, Marsanne & Roussanne grown over limestone, acquired from the Gard in the south. A powerfully structured wine, balancing a relatively low gravity with bold, mouth-coating tannins. A hazy, sandy gold in the glass, there is an abundance of intense apricot fruits with a peach iced tea-like quality that lends real dryness to the palate as it tails into a long, herbal finish. Find out more.

  • Region Étables, Ardèche, France
  • Grapes Viognier, Marsanne & Roussanne
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
£33.50

Quantity

Patricia & Rémi Bonneton
La Tangente 'Metisse' 2023

The darker juice from the Syrah pulling more towards a rosé in appearance, but with a peachy sunset tint from the macerated Viognier, it remains a hard wine to categorise, but also begs the question, what does that matter? Worked in this way the Syrah gives some gummy red fruits to frame the herbal, anise character of the Viognier, which is extracted to leave a wonderfully fine-grained, delicate tannic profile. Find out more.

  • Region Étables, Ardèche, France
  • Grapes Syrah & Viognier
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
£33.50

Quantity

Patricia & Rémi Bonneton
La Tangente 'Ostara' 2022

A plush, glossy wine with bright aromas of cherry and raspberry, both fresh and confected, over a compact body of these gateaux-like fruits, with a subtle framboise-esque almond note hovering just out of shot. A judicious balance of grip and crunch to the finish keeps things feeling clear-cut and pure, working its magic most effectively when served with a brisk chill. Find out more.

  • Region Étables, Ardèche, France
  • Grapes Grenache & Syrah
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, minimal additional sulphites
£28

Quantity

Patricia & Rémi Bonneton
La Tangente 'Potion' 2021

A distinctly Mediterranean-leaning affair with this cuvée, made using Carignan harvested in Luberon. The name Potion came from the wine's tonic quality - it is so easy to drink and bursts with spicy, sun-kissed fruits. A compelling, lip-smacking red. Find out more.

  • Region Étables, Ardèche, France
  • Grapes Carignan
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
£27

Quantity