Welcome Famille Dutraive

2017 Famille Dutraive “Haut du Bois de Leynes” Beaujolais-Villages

It’s been nearly a year since Mitch and last visited France. 

Of all the estates we had the pleasure to visit on our January trip—I still recall the wines of the Dutraive family most vividly. 

These are the sort of wines that burrow into your memory. There is something about this domaine that marks each and every one of its bottlings with something so distinct that its hard to forget. 

This is one of the few estates in the world with a hallmark so grounded that simply sticking your nose in a glass is enough to transport you back to the last moment you tasted them, the first time you tasted them, and every occasion along the way. I can say the same thing about places like Chateau Musar, Lopez de Heredia, Chateau le Puy, Cameron, and just a few others. 

The Dutraive domaine is among the oldest in Fleurie. 

The estate was already quite established when Jean-Louis acquired Domaine de la Grand’Cour in 1969. 

This domaine has been practicing organic farming for decades and achieved official certification in 2009. 

Jean-Louis has since been joined in the vineyards and the winery by his children Justin and Ophelie.

The wine on offer today is among the first wines they’ve bottled as a family. “Haut du Bois de Leynes” comes from a precious single parcel of 50-year-old vines in the North of Beaujolais that is planted on a unique combination of stones, granite, sand and clay. 

The wine was aged in neutral barrels for 5 months. 

Unfined, unfiltered. 

All natural yeast. 

Little or no S02 during vinification at blending—if used at all, this is exceptionally low. 

Production is miniscule. 

It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome these wines to Connecticut!

Cheers. 

Codey Foster, Wine Director