Description
“From his base in southern Beaujolais, Pierre Chermette has become one of the beacons of Beaujolais quality…” David Schildknecht, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, August 2008
“Few Beaujolais growers are in a position to pronounce on the region’s different terroirs with the authority of the affable Pierre Chermette…” Andrew Jefford, The New France
Owners Pierre-Marie and Martine Chermette of Domaine du Vissoux were the first to embrace sustainable agricultural practices in Beaujolais. Cru beaujolais is a remarkable medium bodied red made from the Gamay grape, fragrant and juicy with succulence, depth and savoury length. Vissoux is the top rated Beaujolais producer in leading french guide, “Les Meilleurs Vins de France”.
Do not hit the back button. As of the 2016 vintage, Vissoux’s emblematic Cuvée Traditionnelle Vieilles Vignes has been relabeled as Cuvée Origine Vieilles Vignes. We’re guessing the new name further cements the wine’s place as standard-bearer for the Domaine. Vissoux’s exemplary old vines bottling was first crafted in 1986 at the behest of Jean Brouilly, the then Michelin-starred chef of Tarare restaurant. The idea behind this wine when it was first produced was to be a counter reaction to the prevailing, highly industrial tendencies in Beaujolais of the time. To this end it was (and is) a hand-picked, old vine, low yield wine fermented with whole bunches and natural yeasts. It’s unchapitalised, made with low sulphur, and is unfiltered. It was a wine that launched the fame of the producer whilst also igniting heated debate within the region. Even by today’s much improved standards, this remains an atypically traditional, non-cru Beaujolais at a great price.
The fruit source is four hectares in Saint-Vérand with vines sited on a pocket of dark granite – a soil that partly accounts for the wine’s ‘cru-level’ depth and minerality. The vine age also helps, being 35 to 85 years old. These vines typically produce a considerably deeper, plumper, silkier wine than the Griottes. The 2016 is a smoky, dark cherry and raspberry noted wine with sappy freshness and a light to medium body. While some vintages of this wine have aged well, this is certainly drink now. Stelvin.
93 points, John Gilman, leading US wine writer “… outstanding, offering up great purity and depth on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is characteristically primary today, offering up superb possibilities in its mix of red and black cherries, cranberries, nutskin, gamebird, dark soil tones, woodsmoke and a youthful touch of pepper in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and tangy, with a rock solid core, excellent soil signature, outstanding focus and balance and a very long, modestly tannic and still quite primary finish. Great juice that is certainly approachable today, I would opt to tuck away Monsieur Chermette’s 2016 Origine bottling for three or four years and really let it blossom properly with a bit of bottle age! 2020-2040. “(11/2017)
92 points Vinous “Vivid magenta. Sharply focused and pure on the nose, displaying fresh raspberry and cherry scents, along with a suave floral overtone. Vibrant, mineral-tinged red berry and Asian spice flavors show impressive clarity and floral lift. Smooth, sappy and seamless on the penetrating, gently tannic finish, which hangs on with outstanding mineral- and spice-driven persistence. (JR) (3/2018)”
90 points, James Suckling “The cherry and bark aromas are fresh and enticing. Medium body, light tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and flavorful. Holding on nicely for a primeur. Formerly Domaine du Vissoux. Drink now (2/2017)”
90 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate ‘The 2016 Beaujolais Cuvée Traditionnelle was matured for four to six months in oak tuns. It has an engaging, undergrowth-tinged bouquet that is complex for a Beaujolais, hints of bay leaf and loam infusing the black fruit. The palate is well balanced with smooth tannin, finely poised with a precise, quite feminine and elegant finish. Excellent.(NM) (8/2017)”
RRP $41 … LAST BOTTLES
(New 2017 Vintage also available …click here)
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