Clos Badon Thunevin: Vineyards
When I was first researching this profile, much of the material produced by Jean-Luc Thunevin and his team indicated that the vineyards of Clos Badon Thunevin lie “between the vines of Pavie and Larcis Ducasse, at the level of Château Canon-la-Gaffelière”, which at first glance suggested that the vineyards sit on the prestigious limestone and clay soils of the Côte de Pavie, between Château Pavie and Château Larcis Ducasse, two premier grand cru classé estates.
The clue to the true location of the vines, however, is the mention of Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, the vineyard of which runs right down onto the low-lying gravelly-sandy soils at the foot of the côtes (and indeed they run right across to the other side of the D670, which lies parallel to the côtes). This is also where we find the vines of Clos Badon Thunevin, sitting well below the Côte de Pavie.
Under the direction of Philippe Dugos the nerve-centre of the domaine was a small château with cellars situated on one side of the Badon-Nord, and these buildings still stand today. Old labels depict the estate with vines planted directly in front of the château and cellars, with a narrow driveway leading up to the latter. These days the château looks down onto a small garden and road instead. I don’t think it is hugely relevant though, as I am not convinced Jean-Luc Thunevin bought these facilities.
