Lamé Delisle Boucard

History of Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard

The history of Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard begins in 1869 when Pierre Guyot founded the estate in Ingrandes-de-Touraine. The decisive turning point for the estate came in the 1940s with Lucien Lamé and his wife Yvonne Delisle, who made two bold and progressive decisions for their time: to bottle and sell their production themselves (in 1947), without going through négociants, and to combine their two family names to create the Lamé-Delisle brand, reflecting a remarkable egalitarianism for the era. This dual initiative placed the estate among the pioneers of direct sales in the Loire and enabled it to develop a reputation and a loyal clientele over several decades.

In 1965, their daughter Maryvonne married René Boucard, a winegrower from Benais, who joined the estate and contributed to its development. In 1969, the name took its final form: Lamé-Delisle-Boucard, and René established the first GAEC (Groupement Agricole d'Exploitation en Commun) in Indre-et-Loire with his wife and in-laws. The estate gradually grew from 13 to 44 hectares over the generations. The fifth generation, represented by Philippe Boucard with his wife Patricia and his sister Stéphanie, continues the adventure today with the same rigour and passion, while the sixth generation is already preparing to take over.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard

The domaine des Chesnaies is situated across four communes of the Bourgueil appellation and extends over 44 hectares of vines spread across three distinct terroirs, all south-facing, offering each cuvée a different expression of Cabernet Franc. The first terroir, composed of gravel, quickly traps heat and gives the wines a fruity and generous profile, with immediate texture and pleasure. The second terroir, clay-siliceous, produces wines with a marked fruitiness, almost candied, with a dense and silky texture. The third terroir, clay-limestone, on the south-facing slopes of Beauvais, Brunetières and Bézards, is the foundation of the estate's great ageing cuvées: it gives Cabernet Franc an elegant and thoroughbred character, a distinctive chalky minerality and a remarkable capacity for ageing.

The main grape variety is Cabernet Franc, the king of Bourgueil, cultivated across all the plots. Cabernet Sauvignon is also present to a lesser extent, bringing structure and complexity to certain blends. The oldest vines, planted more than 35 years ago, produce the estate's single-vineyard and prestige cuvées. Harvesting is done by hand on the finest plots, with a rigorous selection of the grapes.

Winemaking at Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard

Winemaking at Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard is resolutely traditional, respecting both the fruit and the terroir. For the single-vineyard and prestige cuvées, vinification takes place in conical wooden vats with pigeage and pumping over, which promotes a gentle and harmonious extraction of tannins and aromas. Maceration lasts approximately 20 days. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in oak foudres, allowing for the gradual integration of acidity and the building of texture. Ageing varies depending on the cuvée: from 18 months in foudres for the Vieilles Vignes cuvée, to 20 to 30 months for the Prestige cuvée and the great single-vineyard cuvées.

For the entry-level and easy-drinking cuvées, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with long maceration to extract the aromas and tannins of the grape variety, followed by ageing in tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit and freshness. The rosés are vinified by short maceration or direct pressing, depending on the cuvée. The Crémant de Loire is produced using the traditional method from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

The cuvées of Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard

Bourgueil Cuvée des Chesnaies (or Déchaînée): An entry-level red cuvée and gateway into the estate's universe, sourced from vines on gravelly and clay-siliceous soils. Aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit and the freshness of the grape variety. Intense garnet red colour, expressive nose of ripe red fruits (raspberry, cherry) and lightly peppery spice notes. A powerful palate with a fine balance between acidity and tannins, a fresh and fruity finish. A supple and voluptuous wine, garnet red with great olfactory finesse and a silky texture on the palate. The estate's wine for immediate enjoyment.

Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes: A red cuvée sourced from vines of more than 35 years on clay-limestone, aged approximately 18 months in oak foudres. A red wine of fine structure and depth, with aromas of red and black fruits, violet and spices. A balanced palate, fairly dense and velvety, with fine and well-present tannins. A classic Bourgueil, faithful to the estate's tradition and endowed with fine ageing potential. Regularly cited by the Guide Hachette des Vins.

Bourgueil Prestige: The estate's benchmark red cuvée, sourced from old vines of more than 35 years on the clay-limestone soils of the south-facing slopes of Beauvais, Brunetières and Bézards. Vinified in wooden vats with pigeage and pumping over, 20-day maceration, malolactic fermentation in oak foudres, aged 20 to 30 months in foudres. A red wine of intense fruitiness with compote-like nuances, a round and silky palate, concentrated and ample, elegant and integrated tannins, a long and persistent finish. An excellent value for money from the estate's finest plots. Two stars and Coup de Coeur from the Guide Hachette for the 2009 vintage.

Bourgueil Lucien Lamé: A red cuvée paying tribute to the estate's modern founder, Lucien Lamé, sourced from a selection of plots and carefully aged. A red wine of character and tradition, expressing the depth and nobility of Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil on clay-limestone. A cuvée that embodies the history and identity of the estate.

Bourgueil Martinière (single-vineyard): A single-vineyard red cuvée from the lieu-dit Martinière, on the south-facing clay-limestone slopes of the appellation. Vinified in wooden vats with long maceration and aged in oak foudres. A red wine of elegance and minerality characteristic of this terroir, with aromas of black fruits, violet and spices, a structured and refined palate, and a long chalky finish. An outstanding wine for ageing.

Bourgueil Brunetières (single-vineyard): A single-vineyard red cuvée from the lieu-dit Brunetières, another benchmark terroir of the estate on the south-facing clay-limestone slopes. The same traditional approach: wood vinification, long maceration, ageing in foudres. A red wine of great depth and pronounced typicity, with noble tannins and an exceptional capacity for ageing. One of the estate's great wines for cellaring.

Bourgueil Rosé La Romantique: A still rosé cuvée made from Cabernet Franc, vinified by short maceration to extract colour and aromas without heaviness. A rose-coloured robe with luminous reflections, an expressive and refreshing nose of red fruits, a fresh and fruity palate with a lovely aromatic structure. The estate's thirst-quenching and convivial rosé, to be served well chilled as an aperitif or with grilled dishes.

Crémant de Loire: A sparkling wine produced using the traditional method from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Fine and persistent bubbles, an expressive nose of green apple, white flowers and light brioche, a fresh and balanced palate with a beautiful natural tension and a mineral finish. A well-crafted, expressive and refreshing crémant, faithful to the Loire tradition.

Touraine Rouge: A red Touraine cuvée made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, offering an accessible and fruity, light and easy-drinking wine. Aromas of small red fruits, a supple and fresh palate, fine tannins. The estate's everyday wine, to be drunk within two to three years, with simple and convivial cuisine.