“Cherries, oranges, ripe strawberries, and hints of licorice on the nose of this silky, medium-bodied to full-bodied red wine. Delicious, ripe, and bursting with red fruit.” (James Suckling 2025) Don’t be like the Prussians in 1870—don’t run away from this lady!
Buy La Madone wines at the best prices in a private sale!
Starting at €99 on your first order
Eye
Deep red color with purple highlights
Nose
A lovely nose, with floral aromas of wilted rose, iris, and violet
Palate
Full-bodied and powerful, with lovely, fine, velvety tannins and fruity and floral notes
Serve
At 13-15°C
Open
1 hour in advance for young vintages
Drink before
2034
Guard
Ages 10–12
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy it with wild boar bourguignon, andouillette, salted pork with lentils, or sautéed mushrooms...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated 2 stars (A solid, recommendable production, though slightly more conventional and uniform than the previous one)
About the estate:
Established for five generations on Fleurie’s most famous vineyard, La Madone, the Després family produces a consistently high-quality range of elegant, well-balanced Fleurie wines. Arnaud, the son of Jean-Pierre Després, founded the Domaine du Niagara in 2005. He is expected to take over the family estate this year and will henceforth manage the entire operation. It is a daunting task on a famous yet challenging vineyard. The most recent vintages live up to the estate’s reputation, and the wide range of wines offers a safe choice at a reasonable price.
Decanter
Wine rated (2025 guide) 91/100
About the wine:
An elegant, floral wine with complex oak notes, combined with hints of black cherries, vanilla, and sweet caramel. Fresh acidity, velvety tannins, and a long, mineral finish. The oak is noticeable but promises to integrate more fully with age.
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2022 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About the estate:
Jean-Marc Després, one of the leading figures in Fleurie, has been based there since 1984 with his wife Maryse. In 2018, he handed over his estate to his son Arnaud, who now oversees 18 hectares located near an iconic site of the appellation: the Chapel of the Madonna. Another label: Dom. du Niagara.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2022 guide) Selected (Please note that this guide is a ranking, and as such, all the estates listed here—even those without a star—represent, in our view, the pinnacle of French winemaking.)
About the estate:
Jean-Marc Després is a reserved winemaker who speaks to you through his eyes… and through his wines! His son Arnaud joined him in 2005. He then took over his great-grandfather’s vineyards, which he markets under the Domaine Niagara label, revised the vineyard management practices, and planted new plots, including Viognier on granite. For the warmth of its welcome, the authenticity of its wines, and the delicious food at its inn, La Madone is a delightful stop in Beaujolais.
Jancis Robinson
Rated winery (2022 guide) Recommended
Vinous
Wine rated (2024 guide) 90/100
About the wine:
The 2022 Fleurie Dame de la Pétoche has a more floral bouquet than the Vieilles Vignes and displays greater precision and purity. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with aromas of ripe, sweet blueberries; it is quite velvety yet lively and vibrant on the finish, leaving you wanting more. Delicious.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2025 guide) 93/100
About the wine:
This silky, medium-bodied to full-bodied red wine offers aromas of cherries, oranges, ripe strawberries, and hints of licorice. It is flavorful, ripe, and bursting with red fruit. Enjoy now or cellar for the future.
Customer rating
4.5/5
based on 2 reviews
Review by Mr. GILLES D. Posted on June 11, 2025
Powerful and robust, Dame de la Pétoche is a concentrated wine with a full body that delivers a fresh and juicy palate, abundant texture with a graceful, velvety mouthfeel, and a wonderful balance of subtle oak and ripe fruit with lovely notes of cherry jam. The present yet warm tannins, which are fine and well-integrated, extend the profile into a long, savory finish. Enormous aging potential thanks to its structure and depth. The antithesis of the classic, easy-drinking Beaujolais, Dame de la Pétoche is a young, racy wine that is bold and uninhibited, naturally destined for the table to enhance, for example, a delicious coq au vin. Rating = 4.5.
See all reviews from this customer
Review by Mr. WILLIAM A. Posted on March 7, 2025
See all reviews from this customer
Discover more wines from the estate