2020 Domaine de la Grand'Cour Fleurie 'Clos de la Grand'Cour' Vieilles Vignes

Region: Beaujolais, Burgundy, France

Grape: Gamay

Culinary Suggestions: Garlic Snails, Chinese Cuisine, Roast Duck

Vineyard Practice: Organic

About

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 cement vats with sulphur eschewed until a micro-dose pre-bottling, and some bottlings are available sans soufre.

Grand’Cour wines are a beautiful blend of classicist and natural philosophies; producing finely structured Gamay of great mineral purity and freshness, with a natural vitality only present in the best Beaujolais. - Importer Note

Tasting Notes

This has such an enticing nose of summer flowers, wild strawberries and ripe citrus that I could linger over it for a long time. Stunning elegance thanks to the very fine tannins, and the wonderful lightness of touch makes it feel almost weightless. Very long precise finish, which compels me to study the myriad of nuances. From biodynamically grown grapes. Bottled unfiltered with minimal sulphur addition. Drink or hold.

94 points - jamessuckling.com March 2023