Boulevard Napoléon

Boulevard Napoléon wines come from a partnership between restaurant owner Trevor Gulliver and winemaker Benjamin Darnault in the village of La Livinière, Minervois. Named after the street where the winery sits, Boulevard Napoléon focuses on classic varietal expressions from the dry, stony slopes of southern France—Grenache, Carignan and Grenache Gris—that keep the vibrancy and definition you'll find in the best grower producers. When Gulliver showed the early bottles to chef Fergus Henderson, he was impressed enough that they became partners. What matters to the customer: these are hand-picked, low-yield wines from old vines on gravel and sandstone soils, fermented in stainless steel or French oak and aged in concrete or barrel. No heavy oak, no over-extraction. Just varietal truth.

About Boulevard Napoléon

The winery's vineyards sit on the gravel and sandstone terraces that define La Livinière. The Grenache comes from 70-year-old bush vines in the 'Le Pujol' vineyard, while the Grenache Gris is sourced from 56-year-old vines on higher stony ground. Old vines mean lower yields and deeper flavour concentration. Benjamin Darnault handles all vinification with precision: hand-picked fruit, careful temperature control, and restrained use of oak. The 2023 Grenache saw a complex vintage—late-summer heat and drought stress meant the winemaker had to demonstrate real technical skill to capture elegance rather than over-ripeness. The result is silky tannins and vibrant acidity, not flabby fruit. The 2022 Grenache Gris benefited from an excellent vintage; generous spring rain and older vines meant the grapes stayed balanced even through summer heat.

Boulevard Napoléon Wines in Our Collection

Start with the 2023 Le Pujol Grenache (£24.65): medium ruby, bright red berry aromas, silky tannins and lingering acidity—a textbook expression of the varietal from those 70-year-old vines. The 2022 Le Pal Grenache Gris (£30.50) is the richer choice: lime zest, white peach, hazelnut and smoke notes from 18 months in French oak, with mineral freshness and complexity on the palate. The 2022 L'Angely Carignan (£24) brings darker structure if you want something with more grip. All three show the house style: hand-crafted, varietal-focused, with the definition that makes Minervois growers worth seeking out.

Food Pairing

The Grenache pairs well with roast chicken, grilled lamb and herb-forward Mediterranean dishes; the silky tannins won't overpower. The Grenache Gris works with white fish in cream sauce, soft cheese and lighter poultry. The Carignan suits richer fare—beef stew, game, hard cheese—where its structure comes into play. All three are dry-climate wines with the acidity to cut through fat and carry you through a meal.

Who makes Boulevard Napoléon wines?

Trevor Gulliver, a restaurant owner, and winemaker Benjamin Darnault, partnered with chef Fergus Henderson. They're based in La Livinière, Minervois, southern France.

What style are Boulevard Napoléon wines?

Hand-crafted reds and whites from old bush vines on stony soils. Grenache, Carignan and Grenache Gris with vibrant acidity, silky tannins and minimal oak influence. Varietal-focused, not fruit-jammy.

What price range?

£21.55 to £30.50 per bottle. The Cinsault is the entry point; the Grenache Gris is the premium selection.