Domaine de la Grand Cour Fleurie Champagne VV Rouge 2021 VINOUS SOLUTIONS

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!

– Tim Stock