Grand 'Cour (Dutraive) Fleurie Champagne Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2018

96 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "This southeast-facing parcel, where the bedrock breaks through the soil in places, has delivered another terrific wine with the 2018 Fleurie Lieu-dit 'Champagne' Cuvée Vieilles Vignes, a superb bottling that soars from the glass with aromas of rose petals, cinnamon, raspberries, Griotte cherries and blood orange. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with the most energy of any cuvée in the cellar this year, fine tannins and a long, penetrating finish. It's a worthy successor to the incredible, vintage-transcending 2017 rendition. Drink: 2020-2038. (Aug 2019)"

Importer notes: "Outside of the 'Clos de la Grand Coeur' and further down the hill about 300 meters you will find Jean-Louis’ 'Champagne' vineyard. This pink granite soil is very shallow and gently sloped. The granite 'roche mare' is only about 20-30 centimeters below. It is considered to be one of the finest terroirs in all of Fleurie. It is hard not to be completely charmed by this wine. The range of sweet, soft red berries and red flowers that decorate this pretty wine immerge immediately upon opening. If you can make it past the first 20 minutes without slugging this one down, more complexities immerge a piece at a time, transitioning the wine in the palate from a sappy, smooth texture to one of hot iron, iodine and graphite. The vineyard's acidic soils seemingly convert this high-toned, sweet wine into something ultimately salty and savory. It is one of the smallest cuvées and also usually the most sought-after. The only problem with it is that it could be the fastest 750 milliliters of wine you’ve ever drunk. All of Jean-Louis’ wines are made with whole clusters, zero extraction and natural fermentations. They are made from a combination of nearly perfect farming and zen-like observation. The elevage of this wine is 100% in futs de chene (barrel)."