Vermouth L'Exquis Bonbon Sauvage Ambré Clos des Centenaires

The Vermouth L'Exquis Bonbon Sauvage Ambré from Clos des Centenaires is a winemaker's aperitif of rare singularity and elegance. Wild plants harvested around the domaine compose this recipe with delicacy and respect for balance. A lovely touch of bitterness, delicious gourmandise, and great elegance characterise this winemaker's vermouth. In a world dominated by large Italian and French industrial brands, L'Exquis Bonbon Sauvage Ambré demonstrates that artisanal vermouth, made from the domaine's own grapes and hand-picked plants, can achieve a depth, complexity, and sincerity that rivals historical references.

Origin and ingredients

This amber vermouth is made from 100% of the domaine's grapes and wine-based spirit from Gallician production, combined with plants and plant extracts from the botanical garden of Clos des Centenaires and Provence, and nothing else. This absolute transparency on composition is a declaration of philosophy: at Luc Baudet's Clos des Centenaires in Gallician in the Gard, at the gates of the Camargue and Costières de Nîmes, nothing enters the bottles that is not sourced from the domaine or its immediate surroundings. Wild plants, sage, absinthe, verbena, are hand-harvested from the garrigue and botanical gardens surrounding the property, with attention to seasonality and balance of composition that belongs as much to botany as to the art of cocktails. The wine base comes from the domaine's old vines, whose centenary Grenache impart generosity and aromatic richness to the fortified wine, forming the ideal foundation for an ambitious vermouth.

Tasting profile

The colour is amber with golden and orange accents, luminous and enveloping. The nose is intense and elegant, with a suave balance between the vegetal, sage, absinthe, verbena, and the fruit, citrus, grapes, apricots. A bouquet of remarkable complexity and sincerity, where wild plants never dominate but subtly enrich the natural generosity of the grape. The attack on the palate is round and caressing, on notes of fruit and dried fruits. The refreshing finish expresses itself on noble vegetal notes, bound by subtle bitterness and fine acidity. It is refined, delicate, indulgent, perfumed, entirely unlike large industrial brands. A vermouth of balance and elegance that deserves to be tasted with the same attention as a great wine.

The domaine

Clos des Centenaires is one of the most singular and engaging domaines of Costières de Nîmes. Luc Baudet has cultivated centenary vines of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre on the rolled pebbles and red clays of the Camargue foothills in organic farming for several generations. His philosophy is that of a complete artisan, from vine to glass, who explores with curiosity and talent not only wines but also vermouths and winemakers' aperitifs, in an approach to valorising the wild and botanical plants of his immediate Mediterranean environment.

Tasting and food pairing

This Amber Vermouth is best enjoyed chilled, at 11–12 °C, neat over ice with a citrus twist or lightened with a touch of sparkling water for an elegant long drink. The winemaker himself recommends combining equal parts of the Bonbon Sauvage Ambré and Bonbon Sauvage Blanc, topped with dry sparkling wine, for an aperitif of remarkable finesse and generosity. At table, it will pair beautifully with simple or sophisticated appetisers: picholine olives stuffed with almonds, brandade niçoise, sheep's curd, citrus zest with parmesan. An authentic and precious winemaker's aperitif, to gift and share among curious lovers.