Château de la Chaize - Brûlhier 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

As we announced in the previous edition, Château de la Chaize, previously owned by the Marquise de Roussy de Sales, has been purchased by Christophe Gruy and his Maïa group. With 250 hectares of vineyards, including 99 in Brouilly, Château de la Chaize is one of the most beautiful properties in Beaujolais, which the new owner plans to convert to organic farming. At the same time, extensive renovation work has been undertaken, particularly in the cellar, whose old-fashioned charm and layout had been hindering the production of great wines. The first wines of the Maïa era have yet to be produced, but we would like to commend this colossal, visionary, and courageous investment in a region that has every potential to shine. While the 2017 vintage still lacks depth and personality, the 2018 vintage is a big step forward. Brûlhier is rich and generous, and Combiliaty, with its granite-like integrity, already shows a certain elegance.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

More often known for its Brouilly wines, the estate makes a strong impression with this admirable Côte-de-Brouilly, produced from 60-year-old vines rooted in blue stone soil (1 ha). The nose elegantly blends morello cherry, blackberry, and spices with a beautiful, racy woodiness (18 months in barrel) and a more mineral touch. The palate is frank on the attack, then develops with finesse, without excess, but with beautiful depth, around delicate, silky tannins coated with savory fruitiness and woody notes with hints of cocoa. A bottle that will age beautifully.

About the estate:

This Grand Siècle château, built in 1674 according to plans by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, features gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. The vineyard is one of the largest in the Beaujolais region: it covers 300 hectares in a single block, 150 of which are in production, with a parcel-by-parcel approach to winemaking. It was purchased in 2017 by the Gruy family (Christophe and his nephew Boris, operations manager). Numerous projects are underway, including the transition to organic and biodynamic farming.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The 2018 Côte de Brouilly Brûlhier offers a generous bouquet of cherries, blackberries, and dark chocolate, followed by a medium-bodied to full-bodied palate that is succulent and enveloping, deep and concentrated, with a framework of powdery tannins coated in lively fruit.

About the estate:

The ambitious restoration of Château de La Chaize and its vineyards—including a transition to organic farming—is continuing, and the results are beginning to show in the glass. With these new developments, this property immediately earned a place on my shortlist of estates to visit during my next tasting trip to Beaujolais.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

Brulhier, with its vines planted in 1950, its southern exposure, and its beautiful altitude, blows hot and cold. One senses a wine of superior quality: beautifully ripe stone fruits intermingle with mountain flowers and tomato leaves. The palate is majestic, thanks to its diffuse power, precise and extended tannins, and a long, smooth finish. It has the potential to be cellared for at least ten years.

About the estate:

When he bought this estate in 2017, Christophe Gruy decided to wake up a sleeping beauty. A historic property in Brouilly, previously cultivated by sharecroppers, La Chaize now benefits from an owner who has taken stock of the situation: major investments have been made in terms of viticulture (replanting program and transition to organic farming), technical (the winemaking facilities are undergoing a massive overhaul) and human resources (Pierre-Jean Villa as consultant, winemaker Boris Gruy, Christophe's nephew, appointed director) to bring the château's 150 hectares up to their highest potential. To top it all off, the new owner is planning to achieve "zero waste" production. The range is characterized by a rich and spontaneous style for the "small" vintages, and a serious, deep and controlled style for the single vineyard wines; its consistency allows the estate to reconnect with our guide. Beaujolais needs this type of ambitious project, which we will follow closely over the coming vintages.

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About wine:

Those who doubt that Beaujolais wines can be as impressive as Burgundy or Rhône wines should try this deep, well-structured Côte de Brouilly. The almost blackcurrant liqueur character on the nose, without any hint of overripeness, is paired with generous, fine tannins. Excellent harmony, and with a little more length, it would be even better rated. Drink now or keep.