2021 Chateau Thivin Côte de Brouilly 'Les Clos'
Region: Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
Grape: Gamay
Culinary Suggestions: Garlic Snails, Chinese Cuisine, Roast Duck
Vineyard Practice: Organic
About
Vineyards have been planted on Mont Brouilly since Roman times and ever since then, vines have never left this isolated hill in the heart of Beaujolais.
In 1383, the original portion of Château Thivin's cellars was constructed, making it the oldest estate in Côte de Brouilly and one of the most highly regarded producers in the region.
On 8th June 1877, Zaccharie and Marguerite Geoffray bought Château Thivin and its two hectares of vineyards surrounding the estate. Today, the 5th and 6th generations of the Geoffray family are the current custodians, with each succeeding generation contributing new plots of land to build up the estate.
Their vineyards are farmed organically, consisting of mainly old vine gamay situated on the predominantly southern slopes of Mont Brouilly, a small extinct volcano. Thanks to the combination of old vines, exceptional sites, and tireless dedication in the vineyards, the yield is modest but consists of perfectly ripened small bunches.
During harvest, the bunches are carefully placed into small crates to avoid damage before being tipped into sealed vats filled with complete bunches. The simple process continues as the vats are left undisturbed for 7-10 days. Any fermenting wine resulting from the weight of the bunches pressing down is drained out, and the remaining whole bunches are pressed. The young wine is then aged in large old barrels for 6-12 months before bottling. Such a basic process yields spectacular results in the bottle.
Les Clos is the château's historic walled vineyard, it was already planted with vines in the 14th century, as shown by an inscription on the lintel of a small cave that reads “1383”.
This walled vineyard at the foot of Mont Brouilly faces south-west; the soil is deeper and a proportion of pink granite is mixed with the magmatic rock of the hill.
Tasting Notes
Garnet red with bluish glints, bouquet of iris, peonies, round on the palate with black fruits, spices, long, silky finish. This full-bodied wine is ideally enjoyed between 2 and 7 years old, and depending on the vintage, up to 10 years - Winery Note
From an outcropping of pink granite in the historic southwest-facing enclosed vineyards of the Château Thivin, the 2021 Côte de Brouilly Clos Bertrand wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet plums, berries and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, ample and seamless, it's beautifully refined and elegant, with melting tannins, succulent acids and a long, perfumed finish.
93 points - William Kelley, Wine Advocate August 2022
Drink: 2021 - 2031