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.
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