Description
Grape varieties
A majority of white-juiced Gamay noir, but also some Chardonnay to provide finesse.
Terroir
Our seven plots of Côte de Brouilly all lie on the east, south, and west flanks of Mont Brouilly. Each of these plots is distinguished by its orientation or its position on the slope, and each brings its share of complexity to this wine.
The soils are dominated by the “ blue stone ” (Metadiorite), stonier for the highest plots and more clayey for those nearer the foot of the hill.
Cultivation
The vines are at a density of 7,000–9,000 vines/ha laid out with grassed and flower strips for the diversification of the flora and to let our small, light tractors through, we alternate tilling with controlled natural grassing. Hand-picked, converting to organic, Terra Vitis certified for 10 years.
Winemaking
Partly in whole bunches in our hillside cellars and matured in oak tuns for 7 months.
Blending
Blending is performed in the Spring on finished wines. The wine in this blend comes from the following plots:
Clos Bertrand, La Chapelle, Les Griottes, Godefroy, L’Héronde, Henri, and Les Fournelles.
Tasting
Garnet red with bluish glints, bouquet of hawthorn, peonies, cherry, with a touch of minerality, round on the palate with black fruit, and a spicy finish.
We recommend enjoying them after the second year, with a 5–10 years keeping potential.
Serve with wine
Red meats, fatted duck breast, lightly-spiced dishes, Lyon cuisine
93 points, Stuart Pigott, James Suckling “This is like entering a woodland clearing, the floor of which is covered with violets. The juiciness, velvety tannins and elegant acidity create a very satisfying whole on the medium-bodied palate. The fresh and moderately dry finish has good stony minerality and pulls you back for more. From organically grown grapes.”
93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front “A blend of seven plots on various sites and orientations, though a curious 2% chardonnay makes its way in as it is co-planted through some of these locations.
“A delight of a release of this wine, supple but with enough weave of grippy tannin, dark cherry, mocha notes, truffle and faint game meat, some curious minty lift but feels more alpine than strictly sweet-herby. A plushness to the wine too, some richness, a little ripe feel to that cherry profile though, as prior said, quality tannin is to the task. One to settle into. Drinking very well now.”
91 points, Neal Martin, Vinous “The 2023 Côte de Brouilly Les sept vignes was raised in 40-hectolitre foudres. This has a well-defined, minerally bouquet with pure blackcurrant, raspberry and wild strawberry scents. It becomes more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive, with higher acidity than you would expect and a pinch of cracked black pepper toward the finish. This is excellent. “
