Gamay Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 92 Points | Delicious and well-structured for an entry-level Beaujolais, this has stacks of blackberry and forest-berry aromas, restrained ripeness and such a lively acidity that it dances over your palate. Yet, it also has so much character, with a hint of autumn bonfire smoke. Spot-on balance at the precise and elegant finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

From the ever-creative and driven Julien Sunier comes this "anytime red", as he fondly refers to it. Wild Soul, like most of Sunier's fruit, is farmed and harvested at high altitude (400m), resulting in freshness, aromatic vibrancy, a lythe presence on the palate, and endless pleasure. 

Winemaker Description

All our vines are located on the Morgon terroir. It is undoubtedly one of the most famous wines of Beaujolais! Typically, Morgon has four dominant aromas: cherry, violet, raspberry and a very slight touch of liquorice… Combining lightness and richness, our Morgon has an aging potential of around ten years on average. It should be noted that the Morgon appellation dates from 1936, only 12 years after the creation of the first AOCs, in Arbois and Châteauneuf. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Notes

The Marcel Lapierre Morgon Cuvée S Organic 2024 is a fantastic expression of Morgon, one of the Beaujolais Crusin France. The Morgon appellation is known for its rich, more structured wines compared to other Beaujolais wines, thanks to the granitic soils and the unique character of the Gamay grape.

The Marcel Lapierre Morgon Cuvée S Organic 2024 is a 100% organic wine from a producer that is legendary for its natural winemaking approach. This cuvée offers a perfect balance of fruitiness, earthiness, and subtle complexity. You can expect red berry aromas (think raspberry and cherry) combined with hints of minerality and a touch of spicy complexity from the granite soils of Morgon. The wine is made using traditional, natural methods, meaning it’s fermented with indigenous yeasts and sees minimal intervention in the winery.

• Taste: On the palate, it's vibrant, with smooth tannins, fresh acidity, and a bit of garrigue or herbs in the background. It's an approachable yet deeply satisfying wine that showcases the purity and character of the Morgon terroir.

• Finish: The finish is long and fresh, with some subtle earthy notes, making it a great match with a variety of foods, from charcuterie to roasted meats.

The Cuvée S designation hints at a more selected and special vineyard parcel, likely offering a slightly more refined expression of Morgon. This wine is the epitome of the natural wine movement in Beaujolais, where you get a wine that speaks directly to the region's terroir.

Expert Review

Neal Martin writes:  The 2024 Morgon that I tasted from barrel came from the first and third pickings. There is plenty of vivacious white-tipped strawberry and Morello cherry on the nose. The palate is lively and very citrus-driven with red cherries, orange zest, noticeably "punchy" acidity and a chalky finish.  - Vinous 90-92

Winemaker Description 

From the oldest estate vines (80-100 years). Its 18-day maceration is longer than for the Fleurie but vinification and aging are otherwise the same. Named “Tardive” not for being late-harvest (it is not) but for needing more time before being truly ready to drink.

The Clos de la Roilette, a lieu-dit in the village of Fleurie, covers nine hectares of one of the best slopes in the Beaujolais Crus. The clos has an eastern exposure, borders the Moulin-à-Vent  appellation, and produces wines that are beautiful when young and have the capacity to age 5-10 years, depending on the vintage.

In the 1920’s, when the Fleurie appellation was first created, the former landowner was infuriated with losing the Moulin-à-Vent appellation under which the clos had previously been classified. He created a label, using a photograph of his racehorse Roilette, and used the name Clos de la Roilette without mentioning Fleurie. The owner vowed not to sell a drop of his wine on the French market and the production went to Switzerland, Germany and England.

By the mid-1960s, the owner’s heirs had lost interest in the clos and a large portion of the land had gone wild and untended. In 1967, Fernand Coudert bought this poorly maintained estate and replanted the vineyards. His son Alain joined him in 1984, and has been the winemaker since.

The Couderts say their particular terroir (mainly clay and manganese), and the age of their vines account for the richness of their wine. It has a deep blackcurrant color with a hint of purple, a restrained nose of crème de cassis, a rich, full mouth with aromas of cassis, black cherries, and a nutty character, and finishes with zesty acidity. This is a wine that ages gracefully and takes on the aromatic character of a Pinot Noir.

With the 1998 vintage, the Couderts introduced a new wine, "Cuvée Christal" (recently renamed "Cuvée Christie") which is lighter and meant to drink younger. A few years later, they started a selection of old vines cuvée. They call this "Cuvée Tardive", meaning that it needs more aging time and has even greater longevity than the regular Fleurie cuvée. Finally, the most recent addition is a wine called "La Griffe du Marquis", made from the same old vines that produce "Cuvée Tardive" but vinified and aged exclusively in Burgundian barrels.

Memo Summary Notes

The Clos de la Roilette Fleurie "Cuvée Tardive" 2024 is widely regarded by enthusiasts and critics as one of the most serious and age-worthy expressions of Gamay in Beaujolais. Unlike many Fleuries that are prized for delicate floral notes, the "Roilette" site sits on the border of Moulin-à-Vent, resulting in a deeper, more structured wine.

This is a "meaty" Gamay. It pairs perfectly with roast duck, herb-crusted lamb chops, or grilled sausages. Its acidity also makes it a great match for a traditional Thanksgiving turkey or earthy mushroom dishes.

Winemaker Description

Smoke, tar, and char on the nose along with stewed plums, blackberries, and figs. The palate is softer on the tongue than the nose might suggest. Berries and figs come through with a little black pepper and cinnamon. Woody tannins settle into the sides of the tongues and linger a little with a background of umami. Pair with game meats, bbq, honeyed hams, and dark chocolate.

Winemaker Description 

Stéphane Aviron strives for a style that is elegant and fine in the Chénas without too much concentration. The wine is very drinkable. With his subtle approach to winemaking, the terroir is able to express itself very clearly and precisely.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Stephane Aviron Chénas "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 is a highly-regarded Cru Beaujolais that stands out for its elegance and value, particularly in the cooler 2021 vintage. While Chénas is the rarest and smallest of the ten Beaujolais crus, Aviron's expression is known for its "Burgundian" style—focusing on old vines and traditional techniques rather than simple, fruity flavors.

Pairing: This wine is a versatile "gastronomic" bottle. It pairs beautifully with:

• Meats: Roast chicken, turkey, veal, or even a hearty slow-simmered beef stew.

• Casual: Charcuterie boards, mushroom risotto, or pasta with herb-based sauces.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2024 Domaine de la Grand’Cour (Jean-Louis Dutraive) Brouilly "Vieilles Vignes" is a highly sought-after, low-intervention Cru Beaujolais. While the 2024 vintage is just beginning to reach the market (following the 2023 release), it continues the Dutraive family tradition of producing wines that are "natural" in spirit but precise and elegant in profile.

This specific cuvée is an outlier for Jean-Louis Dutraive, whose estate is primarily based in Fleurie. The fruit comes from a 1.6-hectare parcel of vines (some over 100 years old) in Charentay. Unlike the granite-heavy soils of Fleurie, this Brouilly site features limestone and clay, which lends the wine a more muscular, savory, and mineral-driven character.

Importer Notes

On more than one occasion, Jean-Louis Dutraive has been fondly referred by his peers as "the heart of Beaujolais". The Dutraive family home and the Domaine de la Grand'Cour are one in the same, and there is a constant flow of visiting vignerons from every generation for lunches, dinners, casse-croûte ("breaking of bread"), walks in the vines, and tastings in the cellar. Jean-Louis' door is always open, as are his bottles. He makes himself regularly available to young people in the region who are interested in farming naturally, and he is among the first to lend a hand, a tractor, or words of advice to colleagues. Of course, his influence is most felt by his three children with whom he collaborates on the Famille Dutraive label. Daughter Ophélie assumed the helm of Domaine de la Grand'Cour in recent years. While Jean-Louis's presence is always felt, even when he is away enjoying his retirement home in the Jura, Ophélie has a deep connection to her vines and a deft hand in the cellar.

Domaine de la Grand Cour dates back to 1969 when it was purchased by Jean Dutraive, making it one of the oldest in the village of Fleurie. Jean Dutraive was joined by his son and fifth generation vigneron Jean-Louis in 1977. By 1989, the reins were fully in Jean-Louis’s capable hands. The foundation of the property are the lieux-dits of Clos de la Grand Cour, Chapelle des Bois and Champagne which make up a total of 9 hectares of vines in Fleurie, surrounding the house and cellars. Additionally, the family has 1.6 hectares in the cru of Brouilly where the Dutraive family originates. The average age of the vines are around 40-50 years, with a good chunk over 70 years of age.

The family are regarded as trailblazers in natural viticulture, and they continue to serve as a shining example of farmers who work in tandem with nature. Harvest is done by hand and grapes are immediately placed in tank at low temperatures to begin carbonic maceration (without sulfur). The wines ferment naturally with indigenous yeast and are macerated on the skins for anywhere from 15-30 days depending on the vintage and the particular wine. The wines are then gravity fed to the cellar for a period of ageing of 6-15 months, depending on the cuvée. Elevage occurs mostly in used burgundy barrels, though the Fleurie Grand'Cour, Fleurie Chapelle des Bois and Brouilly are sometimes aged at least partially in old foudres or cement tanks depending on the vintage. S02 is rarely added during the élévage, only when necessary, though a small amount is added when the wines are racked and assembled for bottling. And in general, no fining and filtration is used unless absolutely required. In the words of Jean-Louis, he practices "low intervention, high surveillance" winemaking. 

The Dutraive lineup includes some of the most aromatically and texturally unique wines in all of Beaujolais. One whiff and the wines give an almost exotic floral and spicy aroma, followed by lush minerally Gamay fruit, sort of like a top Morey St. Denis 1er or Grand Cru nose combined with earthy, Volnay-like fruit. There is also a textural lushness and exuberance backed up by ample structure and acid. These are substantial Beaujolais, and ones that could certainly stand up to food. They also have the requisite material to develop and evolve over the medium term, i.e. 10-12 years of aging - easily! Jean-Louis and his Domaine de la Grand'Cour wines have more than earned their place in the top ranks of today's Beaujolais domaines. 

Our Professional Review

Debra of 67Wine.com writes | This fresh, playful rose is made from !00% Gamay grapes.  Crisp, lively acidity, bright red fruit flavors (cherry, strawberry, raspberry, red currant) with savory, herbal undertones make this delightful Rose to be enjoyed year round. 

Winemaker Description 

True Glou! Crushable Gamay from California. Sharp, juicy with great texture. 

A very sandy site covered in "Greenfield Potatoes" (i.e. big rocks) and ideal for light aromatics and early ripening. Arroyo Seco AVA is very cool and windy and often compared to Carneros. Certified Sustainable Winegrower by the CSWA.
Vinification

This is our 8th vintage of Gamay Rosé and in full stride with our aspirations for it. Lots of natural acidity giving it a mouthwatering sensation and refreshing character. The grapes were taken directly to press with just a short amount of maceration time during the transportation. Fermented in in stainless steel with temperature control to keep the fermenting juice cool and the fermentation slow, preserving the natural aromatics and flavors. Only 463 cases produced.

Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L

Memo Summary Notes

The 2025 Folk Machine Gamay Noir Rosé is a celebrated "crushable" pink wine from Kenny Likitprakong’s Hobo Wine Company. Known for its bright acidity and low-intervention style, this vintage continues the tradition of using Gamay grapes from the Cedar Lane Vineyard in the Arroyo Seco AVA.

• Aromas: Fresh strawberry, watermelon, and dusty cherry.

• Palate: High natural acidity with a "mouthwatering" sensation. Features a distinct salty minerality and a touch of wet stone on the finish.

• Body: Light and energetic. Unlike many California rosés that lean into heavy fruit, this is styled more like a traditional French Vin de Soif.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Stuart Pigott JamesSuckling.com writes 93 Points | Very cool, delicate and restrained, this Fleurie is barely medium-bodied but has quite a firm tannic core and plenty of wet-stone minerality. The red berry fruit is still a bit closed, so you need some patience. Very good structure in the long finish. From organically grown grapes. From approximately 40-year-old vines. Matured in large neutral oak foudre barrels and smaller barrels that are at least five years old. Drink from 2027. 

Kenna Wells of The Wine Advocate 91+ Points  | The 2023 Fleurie Clos de la Grand'Cour, sourced from "young" vines up to 50 years old, bursts with juicy red fruits—strawberries and cherries—layered with orange peel, hibiscus and a touch of brown spice. On the palate, enveloping tannins provide structure and guide a long, steady progression. A delicate thread of graphite-like salinity emerges on the mid-palate, harmonizing with the wine's fleshy fruit. Yet it is the vibrant, expressive flavors that take center stage, culminating in a bold, fruit-driven finish. With its refined architecture and impressive depth, this wine promises great aging potential. Drink: 2026-2035. 

Neal Martin of Vinous 91 Points  | The 2023 Fleurie Clos de la Grand Cour comes from vines that encircle the estate that are mostly 40-50-years-old. It has a fresh, marine-tinged bouquet with just a hint of oyster shell in the background. The palate is medium-bodied and very harmonious, with gentle grip, lithe tannins, and touches of orange pith and marmalade toward the finish. Give this a year in bottle. Drink: 2026-2036. 

Memo Summary Notes

• Complex bouquet of dark red and blue fruits (black cherry, black raspberry), floral notes (violets, potpourri), and earthy/mineral undertones.

• Palate: Full-bodied for a Beaujolais, with a seamless texture and a fleshy, concentrated core of fruit. Expect good acidity, subtle spice, and a tactile, mineral-driven finish. It has the structure to age for several years.

From over 50-year-old southwest-facing vines on sandy, granitic soils, La Croix des Rameaux is a rich and elegant Gamay made with close attention paid to managing extraction, so the wine maintains lift and energy.

Pair with

• Roast chicken or turkey (especially with herbs).

• Rich Dishes: Beef bourguignon, a savory mushroom risotto, or a hearty stew.

• Meats: Cured meats, lamb tongue, or any roast white meat.

• Casual: Gourmet pizza or dishes with red sauce.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2024 Justin Dutraive Beaujolais "Les Bulands" is a vibrant, natural expression of Gamay from one of the region's rising stars. Justin, the son of the legendary Jean-Louis Dutraive (Domaine de la Grand’Cour), follows his father’s "low-to-no-sulfur" philosophy, producing wines that are incredibly "gouleyant"—the French term for dangerously easy to drink.

This is a quintessential "bistro" wine that thrives with a slight chill.

• The Vibe: Perfect for a picnic, a sunny patio, or a casual dinner with friends.

• Food Pairings: Charcuterie boards (terrines and saucisson), roasted chicken, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or even grilled salmon.

• Note: Because this is a natural wine, you may notice a tiny bit of "petillance" (slight spritz) upon opening. If so, just give the glass a vigorous swirl or decant it for 10 minutes to let it settle.

Winemaker Description

Justin Dutraive has Fleurie in his veins. As the eldest son of the incomparable Jean-Louis Dutriave, he grew up overhearing the conversations (and sipping the bottles) of Jean Foillard, Yvon Métras, Sylvain Chanudet and of course, his father Jean-Louis. The Dutraive family home and the Domaine de la Grand'Cour are one in the same. There is a constant flow of visiting vignerons from every generation for lunches, dinners, casse-croûte ("breaking of bread"), walks in the vines, and tastings in the cellar. Jean-Louis' door is always open, as are his bottles. His influence on the youth of the region was deeply and instantly felt in his son Justin's inaugural release: Beaujolais "Les Bulands".

W/ 'Les Bulands', grapes are picked into small bins and refrigerated before going into the vat in order to ensure the purest semi-carbonic maceration. Justin vinified his wine in a sphere-shaped fiberglass container that you turn on its axis as opposed to using a pump-over method. This is done most frequently in the final days of maceration, encouraging textural richness in the wine. All natural yeast fermentation and little or no sulfur additions. Justin adheres to his father's cellar motto of "minimal intervention and maximum surveillance".

Memo Summary Notes 

The 2023 vintage is a highly concentrated yet elegant expression of Fleurie, which often earns the nickname, "The Queen of Beaujolais."

• Aroma: Highly aromatic, marked by signature floral notes (violet, rose/lilac) intertwined with bright red and black cherry, candied plum, and a hint of sweet spice or licorice.

• Palate: The wine is typically medium-bodied with a sleek, velvety texture. It shows a lovely balance between concentrated, dark fruit flavors and vibrant, precise acidity.

• Structure: It has fine, elegant tannins that provide structure and a long, mineral-driven finish, suggesting good aging potential (many recommend drinking or holding).

• Fleurie's combination of lightness and structure makes it incredibly versatile:

  • Classic Pairing: Roasted chicken or turkey. Other Dishes: Charcuterie, savory mushroom dishes, grilled tuna, or soft, mild cheeses.