Domaine des Terres Dorées
Domaine des Terres Dorées is the domaine of Beaujolais icon Jean-Paul Brun.
He is one of the most revered vignerons in this appellation, making wines of great purity and extraordinary flavour. Even his entry level Beaujolais wines are full of interest.
If you are new to the wonderful wines of Beaujolais it is useful to know that there are different levels of quality in this area. However, it is important to remember that a great producer such as Jean Paul Brun will produce great wines no matter what level of appellation he adopts.
Much of the wine produced in this region is labelled as 'Beaujolais'. This is for red wine made from the Gamay grape or white wine made from Chardonnay (very little white wine is produced in the Beaujolais region these days).
The next highest level of quality is labelled 'Beaujolais Villages". This is for wine produced in nominated villages that are deemed to produce wine of higher quality.
The best wines of Beaujolais, however, are from the ten 'cru' areas where the finest wines are produced. These are Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin a Vent, Regnie and Saint Amour. Of these, the most venerable is Morgon. Wine produced from these tiny areas do not display Beaujolais on the label, only the name of the cru.
Jean Paul Brun has many plots throughout Beaujolais and so produces wines ranging from the standard Beaujolais through the the revered Morgon.
The wines that have arrived at our warehouse and now available for purchase are described below.
Domaine de Terres Dorées Beaujolais Blanc Classic 2009
This great-value Chardonnay gets its freshness from natural vinification and no use of oak barrels. The vines thrive on limestone soils in Beaujolais.
RRP: 28
Domaine de Terres Dorées Beaujolais Blanc Fut 2008
This is another Chardonnay that has been aged in old barrels so that the wine does not acquire the vanilla and sweetness associated with new oak. The grapes are sourced from a number of parcels of vines. This is an elegant wine that exhibits restrained complexity.
RRP: 37
Domaine de Terres Dorées Beaujolais Rosé d'Folie 2009
The Rosé d'Folie is a light pinkish-orange tinted wine that gives raspberry on the palate, an appealing freshness and a nice lingering finish. Perfect for spring and summer sipping.
RRP: $24
Domaine de Terres Dorées Beaujolais Cuvee Premiere 2009
This cuvee is made from young Gamay vines and is designed to be drunk now. It is a delightful, drinkable wine that will put a smile on your face! It can also benefit from one or two years in our cellar.
RRP: $22
Domaine de Terres Dorées Beaujolais l'Ancien 2009
This is the quintessential Jean-Paul Brun wine! It is a noble Beaujolais with
great structure (from the old vines used to make this wine), elegance and
enormous appeal, but at a price that is very accessible. If you are one of those
people who were damaged by drinking poor Beaujolais in the past - this is the
wine to reinvigorate your interest in the Gamay grape.
RRP: $28
Domaine de Terres Dorées Cote de Brouilly 2009
The vines for this beautiful wine grow on the south-east facing slopes
of Beaujolais known
as the Cote de Brouilly grow on blue granite - and the Gamay grape is known to
thrive in granitic soils. It exhibits dark berry fruits and lots of minerality.
The Cote de Brouilly is one of the ten cru areas of Beaujolais that produce the highest quality wines.
RRP: $32
Domaine de Terres Dorées Morgon 2009
Morgon is considered by many to be the very best area for Beaujolais. This cru is one of the freshest and liveliest wines from this area that we have tasted along with the Lapierre and the Foillard. You will love the cherry fruits in this wine along with the trademark spicy minerality.
RRP: $33
Domaine de Terres Dorées Moulin a Vent 2009
The
Moulin a Vent from Jean Paul Brun is an elegant beauty that belies its price. There are berry flavours on
the palate and a very pleasant savoury finish. The first time we tried this wine
we were blown away by both the structure of the wine on the palate and the
beautiful, elegant, lively finish.
RRP: $37
Domaine de Terres Dorées Fleurie 2009
This wine is much stronger than the average Fleurie however the berry fruits and cherry fruits are there and the long, lingering, minerally finish is very appealing.
RRP: $38
Domaine de Terres Dorées Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2008
This is a Bourgogne appellation wine instead of the more usual Beaujolais from Jean Paul Brun, therefore it is a Pinot Noir rather than Gamay. The grapes come from three small, sun-drenched parcels and the wine is matured in old wooden fûts. This is a beautiful drinking wine.
RRP: $34
Domaine de Terres Dorées FRV 100 2008
This Gamay-based sparkling wine made in the pétillant naturel style is very low in alcohol at only 7.5%. The
low-alcohol, however, does not detract from its interesting flavour of berry
fruits and minerals coming from the granitic soils.
When you pour this lightly petillant wine into the glass you immediately notice the pink hue which is the result of the short time that the red skins have been in contact with the grape juice. It is a perfect aperitif or dessert wine. It is perfect summer sipping sitting in the garden or looking over the sea. It also teams beautifully with berry desserts such as strawberry soup.
RRP: $30
Domaine de Terres Dorées Cremant de Bourgogne Charme 2007
Cremants are sparkling wines made outside the Champagne region of France. This is a particularly fine example of the genre.
RRP: $35
Domaine de Terres Dorées In Extremis 2006
This gorgeous sweet wine is made by Jean Paul Brun using an Austrian technique for making wine from late harvest grapes. The result is a sweet, yellow, unctuous wine of some complexity.
RRP: $52
Domaine de Terres Dorées Labeur d'Octobre 2006
This fresh, sweet, fruit-driven wine is made from grapes harvested late in the season. It is a sweet wine with 120g of residual sugar. This wine has been aged in old wooden barrels for almost six months.
RRP: $74
Domaine de Terres Dorées Marc de Beaujolais
This beautiful Marc is distilled in Jean Paul Brun's village immediately after the grapes have been pressed. The liquor is then aged in new oak barrels to produce this lively, fresh marc with great complexity. At this price it is quite a bargain. Only very small amounts are currently available.
RRP: $35
Domaine de Terres Roties Condrieu 2008
This elegant Condrieu appellation wine is made from the Viognier grape. There are only a few bottles available as very little of it is made.
RRP: $83
Domaine de Terres Roties Cote Rotie 2007
A smoky, spicy beauty made from grapes sourced from the northern Rhone. This is a very interesting Cote Rotie.
RRP: $89
Domaine de Terres Dorées Vin de Pays Roussanne 2008
Roussanne
is a classic Rhone grape this beautiful white is a great example of the
attraction of wine made from it. This wine comes from the Beaujolais region
where Roussanne is not an authorised grape variety, hence the Vin de Pays
appellation on the back label.
RRP: $89