Jean-Louis Dutraive Domaine de la Grand'Cour Fleurie 'Le Clos' Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2023
Jean-Louis Dutraive Domaine de la Grand'Cour Fleurie 'Le Clos' Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2023 Jean-Louis Dutraive, Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie “Le Clos” Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2023 is a deep, structured, and intensely fruity Gamay from very old vines in the estate’s historic walled Clos. It is a top-tier Cru Beaujolais with real concentration, silky texture, and clear aging potential, yet still marked by the bright, floral elegance typical of Fleurie. Critic tasting note: (2023 vintage) "Complex spicy aromas and concentrated red fruit are wrapped around the healthy tannic core of this medium-bodied beauty. Long, suave finish. And this is only just beginning to open up and reveal its depth. From organically grown grapes. From 50- to 80-year-old vines. Matured in 3- to 5-year-old, 600-liter oak barrels. Drink or hold." - James Suckling Vineyard and winemaking 100% Gamay from the “Le Clos” parcel, a 6.4 ha walled vineyard surrounding the house and cellars in Fleurie. The Vieilles Vignes cuvée comes from a 1.5 ha selection of the oldest vines in the Clos, around 80–100 years old, planted on granite at about 300 m altitude. Organic farming, manual harvest, semi-carbonic maceration with no inputs, and élevage half in oak barrels and half in foudres for about seven months. Only a tiny amount of sulfur is added at bottling if needed. Tasting note Appearance: Bright ruby with a luminous core. Nose: Intense red fruit—strawberry, raspberry, cherry—with floral notes (peony, violet), a hint of spice, and a subtle granitic minerality. Palate: Silky and velvety, with ripe, concentrated fruit, fine tannins, and fresh acidity. The texture is lush but not heavy, with real depth and a clear sense of place. Finish: Long, fresh, and mineral, with lingering red fruit and a clean, stony close. Style and drinking window This is a classic, high-quality Fleurie: elegant, floral, and fruit-driven, yet with the structure and depth to age. It is approachable now but will benefit from a few years in the cellar, with a drinking window roughly from 2026 to 2035. Food pairing It pairs beautifully with roast chicken, duck, pork, and light game. It also works very well with mushroom dishes, charcuterie, and soft or semi-hard cheeses, where its acidity and fruit can balance richness.