Château Thivin - Côte-de-Brouilly Les Sept Vignes 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Château Thivin has embarked on a renovation of its vineyard, with a focus on soil management. As part of its transition to organic farming, trellising on the steepest plots—such as La Chapelle—is now standard practice. The range is extensive: fruit-forward whites and reds, as well as Côte de Brouilly wines (Sept Vignes, Griottes de Brulhié). The magnificent trio of Godefroy, Chapelle, and Zaccharie particularly impressed and moved us this year. A must-visit for wine lovers and a source of truly great wines.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2023 Côte de Brouilly Les Sept Vignes offers aromas of black cherry, spicy ginger, and dried violet petals. Full-bodied and concentrated, the wine opens up with breadth, gaining more structure on the mid-palate, influenced by a layer of chalky tannins that build as it progresses, finishing with a satisfying and lingering impression of wet stones.

About the estate:

This historic estate remains a benchmark for classic Beaujolais—a wine that ages gracefully—and the 2019 vintage is a fine example of this. As I wrote last year, the Geoffrays have banned herbicides and insecticides from their vineyards and are among the most conscientious growers in the appellation, working toward organic certification. In the cellar, winemaking is traditional, with semi-carbonic maceration and aging generally in large oak casks—though some small cuvées see a bit of new oak. A staple of France’s finest restaurants—and this writer’s table—all readers unfamiliar with these wines are strongly encouraged to seek them out. This year, the Brouilly Reverdon deserves special mention, as it is particularly successful.

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

About the wine:

Les 7 Vignes ranks among the region’s finest entry-level wines, with its rich fruitiness, full-bodied style, and lively acidity.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Rich and sweet. Smooth and lively. Very satisfying, though a bit more mature than most. Slightly velvety on the finish. (JR)

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2023 Côte de Brouilly Les Sept Vignes was aged in 40-hectoliter casks. It has a well-defined mineral bouquet, with pure aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry, and wild strawberry. It becomes more floral with aeration. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and well-structured, with higher acidity than one might expect and a hint of crushed black pepper on the finish. It is excellent.

James Suckling

About the wine:

It’s like stepping into a clearing where the ground is carpeted with violets. Its juiciness, velvety tannins, and elegant acidity combine to create a very satisfying, medium-bodied wine. The fresh, moderately dry finish offers a nice stony minerality and leaves you wanting more. Made from organically grown grapes. Drink now or cellar.