Sous le Végetal, Hüpnos 2022

In 2018, Patrick Bouju and fellow 0/0 winemaker Jason Ligas acquired vines in Samos, Greece and began a stunning vinification project. Sous le Vegetal seeks to reflect the micro-terroirs of the island as well as different expressions of the rare varietal Muscat à Petits Grains through varying ageing and maceration techniques. In line with both winemakers personal projects, strict biodynamic practices are used in the vineyards, grapes are harvested by hand and absolutely nothing is added in the winemaking process. Ligas retired from the project in 2019 so these new vintages are pure Bouju. Named after the Greek word for sleep, grapes for Hüpnos 2022 are harvested at night from vines grown among vegetable patches. This is the only skin contact wine from the collection and they are handled carefully to retain acidity. Skins are macerated for 2 weeks, half whole bunch and half destemmed, then very gently pressed as to not be crushed and release bitter tannins. Punchy nose of yellow fruits and sherry with nutty flavours reminiscent of marzipan. Hüpnos 2022 would pair well with ceviche and pickled cedrat.