2022 Fleurie Le Clos Vieilles-Vignes
Domaine de la Grand'Cour is one of the oldest domaines in Fleurie and carries a tradition for producing some of the most renowned wines of this cru. Back in 1969 Jean Dutraive purchased the commune-like buildings and surrounding vineyards of the domaine. He was then joined by his son Jean-Louis Dutraive, a fifth generation Beaujolais winemaker in 1977. Today the wines are quintessential Fleurie and among the finest of all Beaujolais. The domaine now comprises 9.1 hectares in Fleurie - the lie...Read More...
Domaine de la Grand'Cour is one of the oldest domaines in Fleurie and carries a tradition for producing some of the most renowned wines of this cru. Back in 1969 Jean Dutraive purchased the commune-like buildings and surrounding vineyards of the domaine. He was then joined by his son Jean-Louis Dutraive, a fifth generation Beaujolais winemaker in 1977. Today the wines are quintessential Fleurie and among the finest of all Beaujolais.
The domaine now comprises 9.1 hectares in Fleurie - the lieux-dits of Grand'Cour, the 8-hectare walled Clos surrounding the house and cellar, Chapelle des Bois and Champagne; plus 1.6 hectares in Brouilly. Jean-Louis began farming organically in 2002 when he moved to live at the house inside the Clos and was certified organic in 2009. Only natural inputs are used. All work is carried out manually and harvesting is exclusively by hand to ensure best quality whole bunches in the winery. The soils across the vineyards are variations on the classic coarse granite sand and gravel of Cru-Beaujolais, with some clay-limestone plots. The classic natural Carbonic fermentation is carried out in the same manner as the Famille wines with sulphur eschewed until a micro-dose pre-bottling. Grand'Cour wines are a beautiful blend of classicist and natural philosophies; producing traditionally structured Gamay of great mineral purity and freshness, with a natural vitality only present in the best Beaujolais. Since 2011 Jean-Louis has dialled up the wines and they are now recognised by his peers and French customers as being among the top few natural producers in Beaujolais today. THEY NEVER DISAPPOINT!
A little deeper colour than the basic Le Clos. The nose is similar but there is a light dusting of oak derived spice that blends in perfectly with the fruit spice and mineral notes. Fruit a little darker with some red and dark cherry, wild red plum, rooibos tea and dried herbs. So much to discover. Moving up in weight and concentration again to a style that offers layer after layer of flavour and complexity. Fruit is again more red toned with the acidity more pronounced; the granitic minerality voltage dialled up. Wave after wave. Tannins creep in taking over from the acidity to add some nice pleasant amaro astringency and flavour. It’s beautiful how these wines balance the vibrancy of youth with Burgundian complexity to produce such long flavoured and soulful Beaujolais at such tender bottles ages. I’m sure this would be added to the list of prospective premier crus if its wasn’t such a small monopole. 14.5% – Tim Stock, Importer
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