Domaine Blain Soeur & Frere, Cote de Brouilly, Pierre Bleue, Beaujolais, France, 2018

Overview of the Wine
Domaine Blain was founded in 2014 when siblings Lucie and Marc-Antonin Blain acquired 14 acres of vineyards planted with old vines on the slopes of Mont Brouilly in Beaujolais. Marc-Antonin and Lucie grew up in their family domaine, Domaine Blain-Gagnard, in Chassagne-Montrachet. After completing his oenological studies and gaining experience in Australia, Marc-Antonin made a vintage of Beaujolais in Fleurie which became the catalyst for purchasing land there. Marc-Antonin maintains the vineyards in Brouily and Côte de Brouilly, while Lucie handles the communications, marketing, and daily operations of the business. The wines are vinified in Chassagne-Montrachet. The Beaujolais wine region stretches 55 kilometers from south of Macon to the flatter lands northwest of Lyon. All ten of Beaujolais’ crus sit clustered together in the northern sector of the region where the bedrock is the same schist and sandy granite found 100 kilometers south in Côte-Rôtie. Marc-Antonin and Lucie Blain own vineyards in the southernmost crus of Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly. Brouilly is the largest cru covering 20% of the Beaujolais area, while the Côte de Brouilly is a much smaller, volcanic slope known for giving structured wines. Vines are trained in the traditional Gobelet and average vine age is over 50 years old. Three different cuvées are produced based on soil and elevation: Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly Pierre Bleue, and Côte de Brouilly Les Jumeaux.

Grape / Blend
Gamay

Origin
Beaujolais, Burgundy, France

Winemaker Notes
Marc-Antonin describes this wine as “linear with a straight structure.” Northwest-facing vines bring tension to the wine while the meager soil provides a mineral backbone. The wine shows aromas and flavors of ripe red fruits such as strawberries and cherries, while a percentage of whole clusters add to the wine’s complexity.

Gamay has low tannins and refreshing acidity, making it an ideal red wine partner with dark fish such as grilled salmon or tuna. It can also be an excellent contrast to foods that are oily, fatty, or high in salt, such as saucisson sec or roasted meat. It is at home with classic bistro fare such as roast chicken or steak frites.

94 Points - Ian Blackburn
Cliche' Burgundian all the way - daft, dare I say elegant - wonderful quality marks - restrained as it should be, but elevated winemaking - pinot noir like - with kisses of granite.  Color 14/15, Aroma 23/25 (Lovely), Body 23+/25 (balanced and Refined), Overall Impression 33+/35 - 94 points of elegance... not powerful and over extracted - but not missing or wanting anything further...

Product size: 750ml